(Photo: Racehorsephotos)
Trainer Ben Pauling is confident High Bridge can maintain his unbeaten form when he runs in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February.
The seven-year-old is among 59 early entries for the February 10 race and will be bidding to make it four wins from four after triumphing in the Gerry Feilden Hurdle at the same venue in November.
The Grade Three contest, which is run over two miles, is viewed as a step up for Pauling’s charge but the trainer says High Bridge is in good shape and loves the course so shouldn’t have too many problems coping on the day.
Pauling said: “The Betfair Hurdle is very much the aim for High Bridge. He has been very good since his win at Newbury last time out and the Betfair Hurdle has been the target since then.
“We purposely avoided Ascot (on December 23) as we wanted to prepare him for Newbury. The horse seems in good order and hopefully will remain that way for the Betfair Hurdle.
“He is unbeaten at Newbury and really seems to like it there.”
