led 2nd, headed 3rd, led again 4th, ridden and headed 6th, weakened next
led 1st, headed next, led again 6th, ridden 2 out, left clear last, ridden out
mistake 1st, led 3rd, soon headed, weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 2 out
mistake 1st, soon behind, pulled up before last
held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden, joined winner 2 out, every chance when mistake and fell last
in touch, ridden 3 out, left 2nd last, stayed on flat
The hugely-popular Mascot Grand National will have got the day off to a great start and this race, named in honour of that contest, can go to Richie's Delight. A course and distance winner, the selection was just beaten in a similar event at Worcester recently and comes here at the top of his game. The danger looks to be Dante's Battle, winner of a seller at Newton Abbot 13 days ago, but bear in mind The Little Lad. He has had his training problems but, if at the level of form that saw him run with credit in Irish handicap hurdles in 2002, he has to be given every respect. An absence of a year has also to be overcome, but watch the betting market for clues. Aliabad won twice over 14 furlongs on the all-weather in 2001 and has been well held in three starts on the Flat this season since returning from a racing absence of over a year. Overall, then, Richie's Delight is the one for us.
