Pauling thrilled by High Bridge

News of the action from Newbury where High Bridge made a winning start for Ben Pauling in the presence of John Ferguson.

The presence of Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson could have been a tip in itself for High Bridge, who made his first start since finishing sixth in the Champion Bumper a winning one in the Blackmore Building Maiden Hurdle at Newbury.

Now in the care of Ben Pauling, the five-year-old, who runs in the colours of his former trainer, showed he was ready to fire on his first run over hurdles under Ferguson’s youngest son, Alex, when taking the extended two-mile contest by three lengths.

Pauling said of the 5/2 joint-favourite: “We are all obviously over the moon and it means a lot. John Ferguson and Alex Ferguson prepared this horse and sent him to me in magnificent condition.

“It is great for Alex to ride in a top-class novice hurdle so competently.”

He added: “He jumped well, travelled well and stayed well to the line. We will keep him to this trip, but then come March if he is good enough he may want further.”

While the 25/1 starting price of Sneaky Feeling may have suggested a win was not on the cards in the British Stallion Studs EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle, his neck success over odds-on favourite Bags Groove was not surprise to winning connections.

Sarah Hobbs, representing husband Philip, said: “The trainer got it right. I came here with five and Philip said that …

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