TENSION rippled through the excited crowds at Chepstow Racecourse as nine giant furry contestants took their positions at the starting blocks.

The 2004 Mascot Derby was ready to start and three Gwent competitors were hoping for podium glory.

Newport AFC's Spytty the Dog, Newport RFC's Tommy the Tiger and Rodney the Dragon, from the Gwent Dragons, were in the running.

The trio trotted up to the start, took their marks and the race starter dropped his flag.

With a loud cheer from the stand, the mascots were off.

Race rules stipulate contestants with their feet inside costumes must start half a furlong in front of those in trainers.

From the off, trainer-wearing Spytty tore away from the pack and made immediate ground on those who started ahead of him.

Tommy had some problems early on. He took a tumble with the Jolly Green Giant of Yeovil Town FC and never recovered enough to take gold. Rodney, making his debut performance, showed promise and proved he was one to watch for the future.

They missed out on the top spot, but all was not lost.

Rodney claimed the prize of Best Turned Out Mascot and former champ Spytty, who won the race in 2002, took a very respectable third. Tommy trailed in second last. Bruiser the Bear, from Cardiff RFC, came first with Sedgefield Racecourse's Sedge the Field Mouse second.

After the race, Spytty told the Argus: "I'm proud of what I achieved today because I did it with a dodgy knee. I really had to break through the pain barrier to make third place.

"It's a real rush running for the people of Gwent."

Rodney paid tribute to Spytty saying: "Congratulations to Spytty, he leads by example. I didn't do too badly today for my first race.

"The Best Turned Out Mascot is well deserved - I gave it my all."

Tommy told the Argus: "I worked hard to come in the last two, my training included a barbecue last night.

"I'm proud of Spytty but I felt he could have slowed down and given me a piggy back."

Racecourse commercial manager Lisette Davies paid tribute to the Gwent three.

"When you see athletes like these, it puts those equine thoroughbreds into perspective," she said.

Tommy, Rodney and Spytty scooped £100 between them and used it to place bets in aid of injured jockeys.