RANDOX will sadly not be appending their name to the world’s most famous race this year, the 2020 Aintree Grand National having been cancelled. They will, however, be remembered for their first sponsorship of another National, this one in Downpatrick and behind closed doors.

We are well used to the Aintree race producing fairy tale stories, and the Randox Ulster National at Downpatrick did so too. The winner, Space Cadet, provided his amateur, seven-pound claiming rider Ben Harvey with his first winner on the track. It was also the biggest success to date for trainer Gearoid O’Loughlin who trains the 10-year-old son of Flemensfirth (Alleged) for Chris Jones.