Sixmilebridge cut for Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham after cashing in on chasing bow

Sixmilebridge was halved in price for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after scoring on his reappearance in the three-runner 2m4½f beginners' chase.

Odds-on favourite Derryhassen Paddy was upsides when fluffing the last and Sixmilebridge continued to make strong headway under Kielan Woods before going clear by four and a half lengths. Paddy Power responded by cutting Fergal O'Brien's six-year-old to 33-1 (from 66) for the festival Grade 1.

O'Brien completed a double when the unfancied Stop Loss battled on to score by a neck on his hurdling debut in the 2m novice hurdle.

Sent off at 25-1, the seven-year-old had not been seen since March 2023 and had just a single fourth-place finish to his name, but showed a smart change of gear under Woods to overhaul Cavalier Du Luy in the straight and score by a neck.

Stop Loss: clocked his first win Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Local heroes

Ayrshire trainer Mike Smith was on the mark when Follow Charlie recorded his first win of the season in the 2m4½f handicap hurdle. The 12-1 shot raced wide throughout under Nathan Moscrop before beating even-money favourite Captain Butler to gain his third course-and-distance success.

Fellow local Ian Duncan also struck with Tread Softly Now in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle, and Smith told Racing TV. "It was great to see the local boys here. It just goes to show the north isn't all about Lucinda [Russell] and Nick [Alexander], there are others who are well able!

"Follow Charlie is enjoying life a bit more, he's always been a bit tubby but a very good doer."

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