Richard Birch's play of the day at Catterick

Haarar

3.00 Catterick

Haarar tackles the 1m7½f handicap hurdle at Catterick just seven days after being caught in the final strides at Carlisle.

If you ran that race ten times it is likely Haarar would win nine of them. He cruised into the lead before two out and appeared to have put the race to bed when storming five lengths clear before the final flight.

He stayed on strongly to the line, but the quirky Golden Maverick, who came from a different parish, mowed him down late on.

Haarar finished nine and a half lengths ahead of the third, and his trainer Sam England is clearly being forced into running him so soon because the handicapper will put him up several pounds this week.

With that quick turnaround in mind, it is encouraging that Haarar’s last two wins were recorded after gaps of just 12 and 15 days respectively from his previous starts.

Haarar15:00 Catterick

View Racecard

Jky: Jonathan England Tnr: Sam England

Racing Post+ subscribers can read more of Richard Birch's tipping here:

Richard Birch with his Monday tips - including one who 'looks attractively treated based on his last run'   

Introducing Racing Post+, the new name for our digital subscriptions 

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