Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made an effective chasing intro in what became an enthralling three-runner contest at Ayr on Wednesday.


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase might have been short of runners, but it always promised to be an appealing affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett third Derryhassen Paddy (5-6 preferred) handling Fergal O'Brien's Grade Two-winning hurdler.


Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero's Gamesters Guy (13-2) made a good fist of being the fly in the lotion and in a race which supplied a lot of drama, all three looked likely at numerous phases of the home directly.


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


O'Brien said: "He finished the job, I suppose I was a little bit dissatisfied with his jumping as he's been extremely good at home, but he beat an excellent horse in Lucinda's horse, so you have to be extremely pleased with him.


"A lot of credit goes to Max Kendrick who trips him in the house and he's not an easy horse in your home. It's nice to finish the job and a win under his belt."


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


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


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


"We haven't made too many strategies besides to try to get today out of the method first," continued O'Brien.


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


"I think he could do either, increase in trip or drop back in trip if you wished to. Kielan stated his last 4 jumps were his best 4 dives when he was going a bit quicker."


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