A RACEHORSE owned by a family in Houghton Green is gearing up for his second competition under their reins. 

Highland Lodge will be competing in the Scottish Grand National on Saturday with owner Simon Wilson, his wife Julie and his 23-year-old son Rhyan cheering the horse and his jockey Henry Brooke on from the stands.

The 10-year-old gelding, sired by Flemensfirth out of a presenting mare, has been trained by Jimmy Moffatt at racing stables in Cartmel, Cumbria. 

Simon, 48, said: "It is something we have been involved with and enjoyed as a family for a few years now.

"He has only run once for us in the Becher Chase at Aintree on December 5. 

"This is a race over the Grand National fences and he won.

"It is very exciting to have a horse running in the Scottish National but of course the horses he is running against are very good. 

"We just want him to enjoy the race and jump the fences safely.

“If he can do that then who knows - he could do well."

It was hoped Highland Lodge would be able to compete in the £1million Crabbie's Grand National last Saturday but the hopeful narrowly missed out.

But the family remain positive about Highland Lodge’s chances during the race which is often hailed as one of the highlights of the Scottish sporting calendar.

Simon added: "After he won the Becher Chase we decided not to run him again until now, with a view to getting into the Grand National at Aintree or the Scottish National at Ayr so he has been trained specifically with these races in mind."

This will be the first time Highland Lodge has raced since Simon's 16-year-old son Patric died on Saturday, February 13, following a tragic battle to beat cancer.

He said: "It is something we have been involved with and enjoyed as a family for a few years now.

"It has been tough but we are just trying to keep busy."