1937-02-09 — Page 21

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THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 9, 1937.

GRAND

NATIONAL FEATS

CENTENARY MEET

ON MARCH 19

AINTREE'S BEST HAD NO LUCK

London, January 10.

1)

Dating the origin of the Grand Natio al Steeplechase from 1837, Messrs. Topham style the race to be run on March 19-for which there are 60 entries Centenary of the Grand Na- tional Steeplechase. For the race of 1837 (run at Maghull near Aintree) there were seven en- tries, six of which started. The winner, Mr. Sirdefield's The Duke, ridden by Mr. Pott, and two others stayed the course. Until 1843 the weight carried was 12 st. all round, with win- ning penalties after 1840.

Since the race became 2 handicap in 1843 the scale of weights has varied from time to time, the top weight being as high as 12 st. 13 lb., and the bot- tom weights as low as 8 st. 7 I. The top weight now is 12 st. 7 lb., and the bottom assignment 10. st. that is, 7 Ib. less than has obtained since 1931 for the lowest apportionment.

—

All the prominent, duly qualified. steeplechasers have been entered, excepting the dual winner Reynolds- town, whose owner, Major Furlong, takes the view that lowering the bottom weight 7 lb. may enable al selling plater to overcome a horse set to carry 12 st. 7 lb., or there- abouts.

Ever since the race becamè 2 handicap gibes thrown at selling! platers and outcasts from the flat have from time to time been used as levers in endeavours to raise the bottom weight, and thus make the path smoother for the so-called Ain- tree specialists, ox first leads in the Grand National drama,

LUCKY REYNOLDSTOWN In both his victories luck has been on the side of Reynoldstown. In 1935, when he won under 11 st. 4 lb., he beat Blue Prince (10 st. 7 lb.) by three lengths, but the saddle of Blue Prince had slipped, and Parvin could give his mount little or no assistance after jumping the last fence.

Last year Reynoldstown, carry- ing 12 st. 2 lb., would have been well beaten by the ex-selling plater] Davy Jones if the latter's bride reins had not come unbuckled, with the result that Davy Jones, who had out-jumped Reynoldstown throughout, side-stepped at the last fence.

NO LUCKY VICTORIES The really great horses over Ain- tree of other days did not rely on lucky victories for their reputa tions. When Cloister, and later] Manifesto, won under 12 st. 7 lb.,]

A composite picture of the Grand National Steeplechase, with three of the best jumpers. (Top) a scene at the first jump. (Lower left) Miss Dorothy Paget's famous Golden Miller. (Centre) Rey- noldstown, who has won the event for the past two seasons and (right) Davy Jones, who failed to hold last year's wimer at the last hurdle.

Grand National Problem

GOLDEN MILLER IN A. DEAD-HEAT

Grand National Chasers In Gatwick Meet

Gatwick, January 10.

DRAMATIC EXIT MADE BY REYNOLDSTOWN

CAN CHASERS LIVE

Golden Miller continues to intri-UP TO REPUTATIONS

gue To-day, in the Crawley Steeplechase, he gave a perfect ex- hibition of jumping throughout the three miles of this severe track, yet when tackled from the last jump after leading all the way by Drinmore Lad that electrifying turn of speed, to which we have grown accustomed, was missing, and the challenger managed to get up and dead-heat.

The dead-heat was naturally a blow to the layers of the odds, but it must not be overlooked that Golden Miller was giving 12 lbs. to a horse that is likely to develop into one of the biggest-backed can didates for the Grand National. Judged on that standard he can be said to have maintained his reputa- tion as the greatest chaser in the country.

1902;

15

WIDENING OF SCALES

(By "FAIRWAY")

with regard to this matter the gen- eral opinion seems to be that this will not make the slightest differ ence next March except to a few candidates who can only be ex- pected to be left in the finish with 2 chance if most of the others are "on the floor as it is termed.

- LUCKY TO WIN Reynoldstown was, of course, trifle lucky to win last year. To an impressionable mind the picture of last year's finish with Davy Jones, ridden by Mr. A. Mildmay, coming to the last fence clear of Reynolds- town with a rein hanging down London, January 10. his enthusiastic young amateur The dramatic exit of Reynolds- rider doing everything possible to town from the Grand National keep his mount from running out, fancies was quite the most im-was something in the nature of a portant incident in connection thrill that will not be forgotten. with the turf last week. Entries

BOLD VENTURE-

for most of the forthcoming It would have been a bold ven- National Hunt features were ture after last year's experience to issued, but since most of the have put all the eggs in one basket, candidates among the leading as it were, and put Major Furlong's. steeplechasers and hurdlers fell gelding by for another attempt, automatically into suitable races, especially having regard to the pos- there was nothing of special in-sibility of Davy Jones being a bet- terest in the news as compared ter horse this spring than last. In with the Reynoldstown's owner.

decision made by addition, there are a few others, including the two Wroughton can- It is considered that after didates. Drinmore Lad and Royal winning the race twice the geld-Mail, that have shown signs of de ing has had enough. I am sure veloping into grand steeplechasers

this winter. his owner would like to

the course took more jumping than third under 12 st. in the last 10 or 15 years. The third under 12 st. 3 lb.- fences were not rounded at the top years old, in 1903, and ninth carry in those days. They were cut squarejing 12 st. 1 lb. in 1904. and of great width, and the ap-|- POETHLYN'S DISTINCTION proaches to many of them were Poethlyn is sometimes described worn and sloped towards the fence as a dual winner of the Gran There was also some part of the tional, but strictly he can course in plough or fallow, and the that honour The race he won in Zavourite horse accomplish bottom weight was 9 st. 7 lb. 1918 was the substitute or War no other horse has man throughout the Manifesto era Grand National run at Gatwick Liverpool (1895-1904).

But he put up good perfor under 12 st 7 lb. at Aintree the

at

Nevertheless the game son of t selling-plater. Man of War, Grand National under 11st 3 lb. 1897, under 12 st. 7 lb. in 1899; third under 12 st. 13 lb. in 1900;

weigh

only carried

agen

trick, that is, complete the but he does not believe in going to the well too frequently with his pitcher.

The widen

Having

therefore, things, it was pe ps a wise move when Reynoldstow for an

turally not consider should play beneficial change,"

was tuned up

last week at

splendid

nsidering it was

since last ardinary luck he part in the Gold