FORTUNE FAVOURS FLAKED OATS

Clues for the Martell Grand National were lost in the mud at Uttoxeter today as Flaked Oats emerged victorious in a test of endurance for the important trial race.

At the end of a gruelling three and a half miles it was the doughty 12-year-old who carried off the main prize in the Stg£65,000 Singer & Friedlander National Trial.

But Flaked Oats, who will not even be tackling the big race at Aintree, was a fortunate winner.

He was handed the race on a plate when Martin Pipe`s Take Control, some 10 lengths clear at the time, exited at the second last.

Tony McCoy desperately tried to hang on but his efforts were all in vain.

Flaked Oats, trained by Paul Nicholls, was left clear and though tiring badly hung on to score by nine lengths from Atavistic.

Only five horses managed to finish with Take Control, remounted by McCoy, the last to complete.

Flaked Oats was a chance ride for Adrian Maguire who took over from flu-hit Sam Strongeafter Wetherby was abandoned this morning.

'It was real tough out there but Adrian was able to get a breather into our horse which helped him to get home,' said Nicholls` assistant Jeremy Young.

Flaked Oats will now be aimed at the Midlands National back at this course on March 17.

'He`s run over the National fences and didn`t take to them very well, so he won`t be going to Aintree,' said Young.

'Instead he`ll be having a bit of a break before coming back here for the Midlands National.'

Smarty, the 7-2 joint favourite with Lady of Gortmerron, remains on course for the Grand National despite his disappointing performance.

He was never travelling well and was well behind when pulled up before six out.

'I think you can put this run down entirely to the ground,' said trainer Mark Pitman.

'He normally jumps well but he was never confident with his footing in this ground.

'We`ll take him home and freshen him up and he`ll go straight to Aintree now.'

Indian Scout justified some strong support when outstaying the opposition in the Pertemps Classic Novices` Hurdle.

The 2-1 chance was strongly challenged from two out but kept on determinedly to see off Surprising by eight lengths in the Grade Two contest.

'I`m pleased for everyone concerned that the horse has won today especially his jockey Liam Cummins who has found it difficult since losing his claim,' said trainer Ben de Haan.

This is one of the best horses handled by De Haan, who snapped him up in Ireland for 15,000 guineas.

'That looks a bit of a bargain now,' said the trainer who is best known for his Grand National victory aboard Corbiere as a jockey.

'He was bought to jump fences but it`s a long way away to be thinking about this horse running in the National, though he does remind me very much of the Gold Cup winner Burrough Hill Lad.'

Indian Scout is entered for the Royal & Sun Alliance Novices` Hurdle at the Festival but wouldn`t run in that event if the ground was fast.

Springfield Scally has Cheltenham`s Ladbroke Casinos Final as his target after making all and coming home 25 lengths clear of Knighted in the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle.

Steve Gollings` charge was sixth in the same event 12 months ago when running from 11lb out of the handicap.

The Major, trained by Mary Reveley, atoned for an unlucky defeat last time when landing the BGM Novices` Handicap Chase.

Robert Ogden`s gelding was travelling like a winner when unseating his rider at Catterick last month.

The stamina-sapping conditions again took their toll in the Pertemps Recruitment Partnership Trophy.

Only two completed the course with Spanish Main coming home a distance clear of Marble City.

McCoy put the Take Control episode behind him to register another winner when guiding home Suplizi in the Peter J Douglas Engineering Novices` Selling Hurdle.