Sixandahalf full of promise in Fairyhouse romp
Sixandahalf and Keith Donoghue win for trainer Gavin Cromwell at Fairyhouse. Picture: Healy Racing
Sixandahalf created a big impression when running out a stylish winner of the SBK Mares Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Having claimed a Punchestown bumper in April, Gavin Cromwell's five-year-old went on to enjoy a successful stint on the Flat, scoring at Cork and Newmarket before finishing third in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh.
Her jumping debut could hardly have gone any better, with Sixandahalf (2-1) tracking long-time leader Qualimita before cruising through to take over approaching the second-last.
Two neat jumps put the race to bed and Keith Donoghue did not have to push her out to score by a dozen lengths.
Sixandahalf was cut from 14-1 to 7-1 for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham by Betfair and Paddy Power, and Cromwell said: "She jumped really well and you couldn't ask for better.
"I'm not sure where we go from here. She's not very big, but she has an engine, a great attitude and jumps well.
"Hopefully, she'll end up going to the mares' novice (at Cheltenham) ultimately."
When asked if she could go back on the Flat during the summer, he added: "Absolutely, she's a very versatile mare."
Bacchanalian justified 4-5 favouritism with the minimum of fuss in the Racing TV Club Day At Fairyhouse Hurdle, with Declan Queally's charge making all to score by four and a quarter lengths.
Winning jockey Sean O'Keeffe said: "That was very nice. He popped out nice in front and jumped away well.
"He had a nice jump at the second-last when I wanted him and kind of put the race to bed. He just popped the last and came home well enough."
