Worcester preview: It’s time to get On The Bridge

On The Bridge has some top class form to his name, and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to score and overdue success in the 2m 7f handicap hurdle on today’s seven-race card at Worcester (16.30).

The Jeremy Scott trained gelding has won three of his seven starts at the venue, and was last successful when bolting up by eight lengths in a 2m 4f contest at the track back in July 2013 off a mark of 127.

On The Bridge went on to post some cracking efforts in top class handicaps, including when sixth of 23 to Final Bay in the 2014 running of the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival off 140.

The 10-year-old also ran well to to finish seventh of 22 to Doctor Harper at Aintree, and is now able to race in this off his last winning mark of 127.

That makes On The Bridge dangerously well-treated on the pick of his form, and he comes into the contest on the back of two promising runs which suggest he is coming to the boil.

Connections are also now fitting the son of Milan with the tongue-tie for the first time, and if that has the desired effect then On The Bridge is going to be very hard to beat.

The 2m novices’ hurdle (15.55) looks a match on paper between Paolozzi and Tercel, and the former is taken to come out on top.

Paolozzi had some smart form to his name in bumpers, most notably when third to Moon Racer who went on to land the Champion Bumper at this year’s Cheltenham Festival in terrific style.

The Seamus Durack trained gelding looked an exciting prospect for hurdles judged on that effort, and confirmed that view when making a winning debut over the obstacles at Southwell earlier in the month.

Paolozzi was sent off the heavily backed 8/11 favourite and his supporters never had an anxious moment.

After travelling strongly throughout the 2m contest, the six-year-old took up the running at the second last and only had to be ridden out to score by two lengths.

It was a most taking performance, and the front two pulled 20 lengths clear of the third home to give the form a solid look in the context of this contest.

Selections:
14.20: Street Entertainer
14.50: Surf And Turf
15.20: Violets Girl
15.55: Paolozzi (NB)
16.30: On The Bridge (NAP)
17.05: Applesandpierres
17.35: Ladies Dancing