Sixmilebridge could now head to Fairyhouse after he missed his intended Cheltenham Festival run due to unsuitable ground.

The seven-year-old won the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown when last seen and was well fancied for Thursday’s Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Good ground at Cheltenham saw trainer Fergal O’Brien declare him a non-runner on the morning of the race though, scuppering the handler’s hopes of a first Festival winner at what is his local track.

Reflecting on his lack of fortune at the Festival, O’Brien said: “It’s been unlucky for me for the last 14 years!

“Dysart Enos was going for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle a couple of years ago but then she overreached and was lame on her heel bulb.

“That’s racing though, there’s nothing you can do about it and we won’t be crying about it.”

O’Brien will now refocus on the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival for Sixmilebridge, with the two-and-a-half-mile contest taking place on April 5.

He added: “It’s still raining in Ireland so the plan would be for Sixmilebridge to go to Fairyhouse at Easter for the Grade One.”