GRAND NATIONAL

WON BY BATTLESHIP

A CLOSE FINISH

AMERICAN WINNER

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received March 26,- 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, March 25. The world's principal steeplechase, run each year at Aintree, Liverpool, was won today by the American-owned Battleship, from the Irish-bred candidates Royal Danielli and Workman. The race famished the most thrilling finish witnessed for many years, and the jumping was of a high standard. Royal Danielli went into the lead at the thirteenth fence, and was still in front three fences from home. The American then challenged at the last jump, a neck-and-neck struggle ensuing. Battleship seemed to be put off by a riderless horse, but he came again and just won in what seemed to many to be a dead-heat. Brice Hobbs, Battleship's rider, is only 17 years of age, and is a son of the trainer. ' . ". The following is the result of the

GRAND NATIONAL' STEEPLECHASE, a sweepstakes with £4000 added; second horse £800, third £500, and fourth £200; for six-year-olds and

upwards, which, at entry, have been placed first, second, or third in a 'chase of 3 miles or upwards, value £200 to winner, or the equivalent in foreign distances or money at Aintree, Liverpool, or have won any 'chase of £500 (or the equivalent in foreign money) to the winner (selling races in every case excluded); about 4 miles and 856 yards. Mrs. Marion Scott's eh h Battleship, by Man-o'-War—Quarantine, 10 yrs, 11.6 (B. Hobbs) 1 H. C. McNally's b g Royal Danielli, by Roidore—Sweet Honora, 7 yrs, 11.6 (Williams) 2 Sir Alex. McGuire's br g Workman, by Cottage—Cariella, Byrs, 10.2

(Brogan) 3 (Winner trained by R- Hobbs, Lambourne, Berks.) Thirty-six started and twelve finished. Won by a head, with third horse well back. Time, 9min 24sec.

None of the three placed horses contested last year's xace, and they were all at long odis in. the betting market, Royal Danielii being the only one of the trio to figure in the latest list of quotations. The winner, although American-owned, has been racing in England for some considerable time. In the 1936 season he had five starts for one first, a second, and a fourth, winning the Pond Handicap 'Chase, 2£ miles 75 yards, at Sandown Park. Last jumping season he /was unplaced in the Bangor Steeplechase and the Lancashire Steeplechase. Royal Danielii has done practically all his racing in Ireland, and won the Silverpark Maiden Chase at Leopardstown in December, 1936. He was favourite for the Troytown Steeplechase . last October, but was unplaced. Workman ran third in the Irish Grand National last March, Pontent winning from Lough Cottage.— "Binocular."