Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made a successful chasing intro in what became a fascinating three-runner contest at Ayr on Wednesday.


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Chase may have been brief of runners, but it always assured to be an appealing affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett 3rd Derryhassen Paddy (5-6 preferred) taking on Fergal O'Brien's Grade Two-winning hurdler.


Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero's Gamesters Guy (13-2) made a great fist of being the fly in the ointment and in a race which offered a lot of drama, all three looked likely at different stages of the home straight.


Ultimately it was 6-4 chance Sixmilebridge who showed the most sure-footed when it mattered most to reward connections' long journey to Scotland with their skilled chasing possibility.


O'Brien said: "He finished the job, I expect I was a little bit dissatisfied with his leaping as he's been excellent in your home, however he beat a very great horse in Lucinda's horse, so you need to be extremely pleased with him.


"A great deal of credit goes to Max Kendrick who trips him in your home and he's not a simple horse at home. It's great to do the job and a win under his belt."


Sixmilebridge made a great start to chasing after at Ayr (Bradley Collyer/PA)


This victory came by two and a half miles and Sixmilebridge was made 33-1 from 66s by Paddy Power for a move up to three miles and the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.


However, O'Brien is open over which journey he could eventually wind up plying his trade.


"We have not made too lots of plans besides to attempt to get today out of the way first," continued O'Brien.


"I'll speak to Kielan (Woods, jockey) and Mr and Mrs Megson (owners) and attempt make a strategy of where to go next.


"I think he might do either, go up in journey or drop back in trip if you desired to. Kielan stated his last 4 jumps were his finest four dives when he was going a bit quicker."


O'Brien and Woods quickly doubled up on the card when Stop Loss claimed the Coral Novices' Hurdle at chances of 25-1.