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20 years on: Paris Pike's remarkable Scottish National heroics remembered

Mark Boylan talks to connections about a memorable day at Ayr

Paris Pike and Adrian Maguire lead at the last on the way to winning the 2000 Scottish Grand National at Ayr
Paris Pike and Adrian Maguire lead at the last on the way to winning the 2000 Scottish Grand National at AyrCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

It was former US president Dwight Eisenhower who once said from his time as a five-star army general: "Plans are worthless, but planning is everything."

The World War II commander's sentiments have arguably never borne greater relevance than they do today in terms of tackling the coronavirus pandemic, but they also count for plenty in sport - just as they did on this weekend 20 years ago.

The spectacular Scottish Grand National success of brilliant novice Paris Pike in 2000 was the realisation of a well-thought-out target, executed with military precision by the much-missed Ferdy Murphy, who died after a long battle with cancer last September.

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