Huntingdon Preview: Cusheen Bridge fancied to follow-up

Cusheen Bridge posted a career-best performance when scoring last time out and holds major claims of defying a penalty and following-up in the 2m 6f handicap hurdle at Huntingdon today (2.20).
The Charles Pogson trained six-year-old forged clear over 2m 1f at the venue seven days ago to beat Marju’s Quest by three lengths, and the form has been franked by the runner-up scoring next time out.

There was plenty to like about the way in which Cusheen Bridge got the job done with the minimum fuss, and the step up in trip will hold no fears as his other career success came over 2m 5f at Southwell.

It’s no surprise to see connections turn out Cusheen Bridge under a 7lb penalty in what is a weak looking contest, and this look a golden opportunity for the son of Oscar to go in again before the assessor has his say.

Workbench was a desperately unlucky loser last time out when sent off the heavily backed 11/8 favourite and can gain compensation in the 2m 5f handicap hurdle (3.20).

The Dan Skelton trained gelding went down by just a short-head to Marju’s Quest at Fontwell four days ago, where he rallied strongly having veered badly right after leading at the last when looking all over the winner.

The six-year-old is able to race in this off an unchanged mark of 115, and is in effect a winner without a penalty.

The return to this venue where Workbench had won over fences on his penultimate start should also suit , and the son of Network looks ahead of his current mark and the one they all have to beat.
In the 2m 1f maiden hurdle (4.20), Imperial Plan looks worth siding with on his second run for the trainer Brendan Powell.

The gelding showed a fair level of form in two runs over hurdles when trained in Ireland, finishing fourth to Indian Icon and a solid third of 18 to Shutter Island at Roscommon.

That is decent form in the context of this contest, and the four-year-old was in the process of running a huge race on debut for Powell at Worcester last month when disputing the lead and coming to grief three from home.

If none the worse for that tumble, Imperial Plan holds major claims of opening his account in a race which lacks any real strength in depth.