Fergal O'Brien targeting Trials day for Sixmilebridge after stylish victory over hurdles

Sixmilebridge could be set for a second successive appearance at the Cheltenham Festival after registering his second win over hurdles in the 2m4½f novice contest.

At odds of 2-5 it was no surprise the six-year-old added to his recent win at Leicester on just his third outing for Fergal O'Brien. He was not stopping at the finish and could yet be a member of the yard's team come the festival in March.

Sent on in the early stages by Kielan Woods, Sixmilebridge sealed the win with an electric jump at the final hurdle to see off second favourite Land Afar.

The winner, who was unplaced in last season's Champion Bumper, was cut to 50-1 (from 66) by Paddy Power for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March but is set for a date at the track before then.

O'Brien said: "We're delighted with that and this race was a nice fit for him as the plan has always been to give him his fourth start over hurdles in the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham Trials day on January 25. That will tell us where we go but the festival evidently blew his brains last year. There are other races for him like the EBF Final at Sandown and he's a nice prospect for the future."

Victorious Vanderpoel

Ben Pauling was sporting sunglasses in the winner's enclosure after newcomer Vanderpoel put some more streetwise rivals in the shade in the opening 2m maiden hurdle under Ben Jones.

The 3-1 chance was always on the pace on his first outing under rules and was making "the quickest turnaround ever" for the trainer, having won a point-to-point in Ireland just 40 days ago.

Vanderpoel and winning connections after winning the opener

Pauling said: "We only got the horse 28 days ago and to win like that over two miles was very satisfying. He's a nice horse who could make something like the Aintree festival in the spring, and beyond that we see him as a nice type for fences. Before then we may well run him in another one of these under a penalty."

Owen off mark for 2025

James Owen got on the board for 2025 when Nazare justified 5-2 favouritism with a stout staying display in the bumper.

He came from off the pace under Alex Chadwick to collar Lock Stock and may now go over hurdles.

Owen said: "Hopefully that's the first of many for us in 2025. We're just getting some of the Flat horses back including Wimbledon Hawkeye, who we hope can be a Classic colt this year."

Track glad to be back

Huntingdon was racing close to the festive period for the first time since December 2022. The track lost its Boxing Day fixture to Aintree in 2023 and this meeting was lost in 2024.

Chairman Nick Wright said: "We're happy to be racing and we have a reciprocal with Horseheath point-to-point that anyone coming with a racecard from their meeting on New Year's Eve gets free admission as our badge holders were allowed in free at their fixture."

Read more...

'His Grade 1 strike-rate is incredible' - JJ Slevin announced as new retained rider for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede 

'He gave me two of my biggest winners outside of the Cheltenham Festival' - Brendan Powell relishing ride in Veterans' Final 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.