Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr
Sixmilebridge made a successful chasing intro in what ended up being an enthralling three-runner contest at Ayr on Wednesday.
The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase may have lacked runners, but it constantly promised to be an interesting affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett third Derryhassen Paddy (5-6 favourite) 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 supplied plenty of drama, all three looked likely at numerous stages of the home directly.
Ultimately it was 6-4 possibility Sixmilebridge who showed the most sure-footed when it mattered most to reward connections' long trip to Scotland with their skilled chasing possibility.
O'Brien stated: "He did the job, I expect I was a bit dissatisfied with his leaping as he's been excellent at home, however he beat an extremely good horse in Lucinda's horse, so you need to be very pleased with him.
"A great deal of credit goes to Max who rides him in your home and he's not a simple horse at home. It's nice to get the job done and a win under his belt."
Sixmilebridge made a great start to chasing after 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 move up to three miles and the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
However, O'Brien is open over which trip he could ultimately wind up plying his trade.
"We have not made a lot of plans other than to try to get today out of the way initially," continued O'Brien.
"I'll talk to Kielan (Woods, jockey) and Mr and Mrs Megson (owners) and attempt make a strategy of where to go next.
"I believe he could do either, increase in journey or drop back in journey if you desired to. Kielan stated his last 4 dives were his best 4 jumps when he was going a bit quicker."
O'Brien and Woods rapidly doubled up on the card when Stop Loss declared the Coral Novices' Hurdle at chances of 25-1.