Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase
Grade 1, Sandown 14:35
£100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus,
2m 4f 10y, Class 1  
Saturday 31st January 2026

1 Sixmilebridge 6/1
2 Kala Conti 2/1
3 Miami Magic 14/1
4 ran Distances: 5l, 1¾l
Time: 5m 21.62s (slow by 16.22s)

Sixmilebridge kept his chasing slate spotless as he rose to the top level with a thoroughly professional success, delivering a landmark Grade One victory for Fergal O’Brien.

Sent off at 6-1 with Kielan Woods in the saddle, the seven-year-old found the shape of the race altered dramatically at an early stage when odds-on favourite Kitzbuhel came down, unseating Paul Townend. That incident reduced the contest to three runners and handed the initiative to Sixmilebridge, who was soon bowling along in front with fluent assurance.

Jumping with accuracy and rhythm throughout, he dictated matters from flagfall and steadily turned the screw, drawing clear after the last to score by a decisive five lengths from Kala Conti. It was a performance full of authority and one that suggested there was plenty more to come.

“I’m absolutely delighted – it was a fantastic run and a fantastic ride,” said O’Brien.

“I’m so proud of the horse today, he did everything we hoped we could do.

“I’m delighted for the Megsons (owners) as that’s their first Grade One. They’ve put a lot into racing with their horses and sponsorships over the years so I’m thrilled we could win them a Grade One.

“His jumping today was good, but I actually think he jumped a bit better at Cheltenham last time so that’s something we can work on – but I’m still over the moon.”

The bookmakers were quick to react, with Paddy Power trimming Sixmilebridge to 12-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, having previously been available at 20s. He also holds an entry in the two-mile Arkle, underlining his versatility at this stage of his career.

O’Brien added: “We’ll enjoy today, he’s in a few races at Cheltenham and we’ve got all bases covered so we’ll see how we get on.”

For Woods, the victory marked a welcome return to the Grade One roll of honour, his first since partnering Millers Bank to Manifesto Novices’ Chase success at Aintree in 2022.

He said: “It’s what dreams are made of – a Grade One win at Sandown, it’s where you want to be.

“He’s not always very rideable and you just kind of have to take what’s there, but once we got going – he was brilliant.

“I’ve won a Grade One before but it’s been a while and it’s been a bit of a slow season for me, so this makes up for it.”

The emotional significance of the day was keenly felt by owner Andrew Megson, who shares Sixmilebridge with his wife Jane, as they celebrated a first Grade One triumph.

He said: “Most of the time when you own horses you are disappointed. We have quite a few horses who are injured, but days like this and when Global Citizen won the Grand Annual at Cheltenham with Ben (Pauling, trainer) keep you going and you want to stay invested and involved.

“Days like today keep us going. We are both interested (in racing) and Jane used to ride.

“I will remember today for the rest of my life.”

Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase
£100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 4f 10y, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Soft, Heavy in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Sixmilebridge 7 11-7 Fergal O'Brien Kielan Woods 6/1
2 5 Kala Conti 6 11-0 Gordon Elliott James Bowen 2/1
3 1¾ Miami Magic 7 11-7 Stuart Edmunds Charlie Hammond 14/1
UR Kitzbuhel 6 11-7 W P Mullins Paul Townend 10/11F