RACEGOERS passed on their appreciation to the North-East's newest sporting hero last night.

Red Marauder became the four-legged friend of many local punters when it stormed to victory in the Grand National at 33-1 last month.

The horse was rested on its return from Aintree to its stables, at Brancepeth Manor Farm, County Durham, but over the past ten days the 11-year-old gelding has enjoyed the limelight, making its first public appearances since the race.

Jockey Richard Guest joined Red Marauder, and Wearside-born owner/trainer Norman Mason, and his wife Dorothy, on a parade through Sunderland.

The following day, Red Marauder made its return to the racecourse, parading before Scottish racegoers at Scone Palace Park, Perth.

He made a similar appearance last night at Sedgefield, County Durham, as racing returned for the first time since the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Red Marauder was led down the finishing straight at the course before the main event, the Foster's Durham National Handicap Chase.

The appearance was made as a thank-you gesture to the local horse racing public for their support.

Mr Mason's private assistant, Michael Woods, said: "He'll not be racing again until later in the autumn, when the ground gets heavy again. He's generally just resting, but appearances like this give something back to racing, particularly with Sedgefield being our local course.

"They asked and we said, 'yes'. We know the course chairman, Bob Bowden, very well and we're glad to support the return of racing at Sedgefield."

Mr Woods said no charge has been made for the appearances of Red Marauder, whose Aintree victory earned prize money of £320,000.