'It looks a winnable race' - in-form Born In The West bids for breakthrough success

What a puzzle this race presents to punters because two of the overnight market leaders have just one win from 18 starts between them. Born In The West is 0-7 and Lahire is just 1-11, but both have gone close enough on their recent starts to suggest a win could be on the way.

Born In The West has recorded back-to-back career-best efforts over hurdles judging on Racing Post Ratings and is up only 1lb in the weights for two consecutive second places.

Those efforts came in his only two handicaps, so there could be further improvement to come, but he will need to progress again if he is to break his duck at the eighth attempt.

You have to go back to October 2023 to find Lahire’s sole victory, but he was first past the post before being disqualified for causing interference at Market Rasen in January and confirmed he is back to form when second at this course last time over shorter than this.

Lahire has stamina to prove now that he goes up four furlongs in trip and has yet to try beyond 2m1f, but Brian Hughes rode last time and is back on. His quiet style might help.

Hughes has ridden more winners at Catterick in the last five seasons than the rest of these riders combined and Sean Quinlan comes closest to Hughes’s total of 35 with 11. Quinlan partners the other in-form runner in the line up, Evenwood Sonofagun, who won last time.

That was over three miles at Musselburgh and this is a sharper test, but he is up just 3lb in the weights and at least has a recent success by his name. That is more than can be said for most.

Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Going news

Drying conditions have resulted in good ground at Catterick, with the forecast set to remain fair into raceday, with highs of 11C. 

What they say

Lizzie Quinlan, trainer of Evenwood Sonofagun
He’d been running really well without winning before getting his head in front at Musselburgh last time and he’s come out of that in good shape. He ran well at this track before that so we are hopeful going back.

Sam England, trainer of Born In The West
He’s been running well but keeps getting put up in the handicap for finishing second so hopefully he can defy that. It looks a winnable race.

Sam Allwood, trainer of Rehill Relic
He’s suffered with ulcers but he’s in a happy place now. We are hoping the fitting of cheekpieces and better ground will see him in a better light and he would win this on his old form.
Reporting by David Milnes 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.