Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr
Sixmilebridge made a successful chasing introduction 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 brief of runners, but it constantly guaranteed to be an intriguing affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett third Derryhassen Paddy (5-6 favourite) handling Fergal O'Brien's Grade Two-winning hurdler.
Oliver Greenall and Josh Guy (13-2) made a great fist of being the fly in the lotion and in a race which offered lots of drama, all three looked likely at different phases of the home directly.
Ultimately it was 6-4 possibility Sixmilebridge who proved the most sure-footed when it mattered most to reward connections' long journey to Scotland with their talented chasing possibility.
O'Brien stated: "He did the job, I suppose I was a little bit dissatisfied with his jumping as he's been really great in the house, but he beat a great horse in Lucinda's horse, so you need to be very pleased with him.
"A great deal of credit goes to Max Kendrick who trips him at home and he's not a simple horse in your home. It's great to get the job done and a win under his belt."
Sixmilebridge made a great start to going after at Ayr (Bradley Collyer/PA)
This success came by 2 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 might eventually end up plying his trade.
"We have not made too lots of strategies besides to try to get today out of the way first," continued O'Brien.
"I'll speak with Kielan (Woods, jockey) and Mr and Mrs Megson (owners) and try make a strategy of where to go next.
"I think he might do either, increase in trip or drop back in journey if you wanted to. Kielan said his last four jumps were his finest 4 jumps 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.