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04 Apr 2026
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04 Apr 2026
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Fergal O’Brien is ready to head into the lion’s den when Sixmilebridge goes for the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
The promising novice chaser gave owners the Megson family a first Grade One triumph when landing the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown earlier this season, but was denied the chance to follow up at the Cheltenham Festival on account of the ground.
Gloucestershire-based O’Brien said: “It’s always difficult to go into the back garden of Willie (Mullins), Gordon (Elliott) and Henry (de Bromhead) and come home successful, but we’ll give it a go.
“The ground will be on the softer side and will be lovely for him and I think think he deserves to be there on ratings.
“He’s in great form and his work rider Max Kendrick is very happy with him, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he gets on.
“I think his performances at both Cheltenham and Sandown this season are why he was so fancied for the race we didn’t end up running in at the Festival. Those have been two solid chasing performances and I think he’s in a great place.”
This race has been dominated by the aforementioned Mullins, winning it a record six times – all within the last seven years. His team for this year’s renewal consists of Jimmy Du Seuil, Kappa Jy Pyke and Predators Gold.
It was Jimmy Mangan who broke the Closutton stranglehold two years ago when Spillane’s Tower followed in the footsteps of the Cork handler’s Conna Castle who triumphed in this race in 2008.
This year the 70-year-old will saddle Pure Steel, who like Spillane’s Tower carries the colours of JP McManus and has impressed in a pair of Punchestown chasing victories this term.
Mangan said: “I’m looking forward to him stepping into Grade One company. I think he’s similar to Spillane’s Tower and I’ve also won this with Conna Castle so at the moment I have a 100 per cent strike-rate in the race!
“He’s only six and hopefully has his best days ahead of him, all I can really say is I like him a lot.”
Others among the nine-strong field include the Elliott-trained Jacob’s Ladder.
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