Racing: Mann and Snip second

THE ENTERPRISE of the Lambourn trainer Charlie Mann in sending Its A Snip for the Velka Pardubicka, the Czech equivalent of the Grand National, was rewarded when the gelding, ridden by Mann, finished second yesterday.

Mann had predicted that he would win the race, but after a 12-length defeat by Erudit, his confidence was not dented. 'The fences were nice and we'll win it next year,' he said.

With 13 of the 19 runners completing the course and only two falling at the previously dreaded Taxis fence, recent track improvements seemed to have had the desired effect.

A strike by stable staff has stopped racing in Italy.

Tikkanen, trained by Jonathan Pease at Chantilly, won the pounds 200,000 Turf Classic under Cash Asmussen at Belmont Park on Saturday. Yenda, formerly with Roger Charlton, was third.