SPORTING

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23717, 15 August 1942, Page 7

SPORTING

GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES DAY RICCARTON PROSPECTS The Canterburv Jockey Club's Grand National Hurdle Race programme toi day promises to provide as highclass racing as was seen last Saturday. The fields are well up to that day’s standard, and the contests for the Grand National Hurdle Race, the Lincoln Steeplechase, and the Islington Handicap are certain to create widespread interest The track has had a chance to dry up still further during the last few days, and with a continuation of lino weather the going should be even firmer than last week. The big hurdle event has attracted one of the best fields in its long history. The list is headed by the Grand National Steeplechase winner, Foxiana, who will make a bold attempt to emulate Padishah’s lone record of winning both races in tlie same year. He will not be troubled by the change over to hurdles after his recent racing over country, and in spite of his weight is certain to be one of the leaders from the early stages. Erndale is a very doubtful starter. He was not taken from his stable yesterday, and his affected leg lias been under continual treatment since Wednesday. Should the trouble be overcome, a decision to race him may be made this morning, but as he is capable of winning many good flat races during the season, it is not likely that any. risks will be taken with him. In other words, he will not be produced unless he is thoroughly right. Kanui te Pai has had a good record this winter, and such a proved jumper and stayer must be considered. Except that he ran a poor third in last year's race and shaped well under difficulties at Trentham Pekoe's performances over hurdles to dale do not qualify him for an ordeal of this nature, but he has had a special preparation, and is confidently expected by North Islanders to be on hand at the right end. Of the remainder Alienate makes most appeal. He will need to jump better than last Saturday, but it is stated that he had never previously had experience of jumping padded fences such as at Riccarton, and this accounted for his careful display over the first half of the journey. He is bred to stay, and certainly showed some trend in this direction by his finishing effort last week Noko and Rcnascor are possible light-weights, but the latter appeared to be sore yesterday. Lincoln Steeplechase’ Slayer has the best credentials of those engaged in the Lincoln Steeplechase. There is always a risk with the horse that has twice run oil in races, but no doubt every precaution will be taken today to keep him on his fences Clansman did well while he lasted In the Grand National, and the shorter Journey will suit him better. Dozie Boy has raced badly since his third placing in the Wellington Steeplechase, which followed a win in the Great Northern Steeplechase, and he has to be passed over. Erination is certain to stage his usual plodding effort, and some more place money may come his way. Cherry Plum may find the shorter distance more to his liking, but as he appears to be affected in the wind, his prospects are doubtful Of the remainder Gay Boa may do best. Rakanui has a difficult task ahead of him in the Islington Handicap, but he is a class horse, and Judged by his work since last Saturday’s race, he is at his best again Boloyna is doubtful as he still carries a big leg. and lias not done any strong work during the week. Gladynev makes strong appeal over this distance. especially as he indicated improvement by his Winter Cup effort. Don’t Forget lias won 10-furlong races from end to end, and may repeat the performance here Wardress is handily placed, and is always liable to come back to winning form. Atreus will have a track to suit, and his win over this distance at Hastings in June makes him a likely placegetter. First Round's North Island form also entitles her to serious consideration, and of the remainder Cherokee, Palfrey, and Minority are likely to attract most attention. Field of Proved Jumpers .The Hunt Cup Steeplechase will be contested by an unusually strong field of proved jumpeis, including recent winners in Surcoat. Valens, and Benevolent, and these should all be prominent again. The last-named seemed disinclined to jumo any fence correctly In the Enfield Steeplechase, but gave no trouble in a school over the same country on Thursday. Aussie Ra is an interesting contestant. He was going well in the Grand National when he dislodged his rider, and although often regarded as a has-been, lie may cause trouble to his younger rivals. Valaritua looked a likely place-getlet :asi week but for his one mistake two fences from home, while Golden Memory can be depended upon to be pacemaker for a good portion of the journey. One of the best races of the day may bo provided by the middle distance hack event, the Sumner Handicap, especially with horses like Cheddington, Lowry Bay, Moderate, Court Dress, Forte, Arabian Night, and Kurawhi engaged. All of these have at some time displayed staying ability, and investors will have an Intricate problem to solve. Only two withdrawals are required from the Woolston Handicap to avoid the race being run in two divisions, and it is probable these will be forthcoming to-day The issue in any case appears very open, and a widely distributed pool should be recorded. The meeting will conclude with the August Handicap, and again the favourite division is w'dl concealed. The only reason for Sally Lunn’s defection this time, it was stated by her trainer on Thursday, will be a heavy track, as it would not be deemed wise to race her in such conditions With 9-7 on her back. It is to be hoped that if the track is favourable she will be on hand. Poutatau, Fleet Street, All Night, Compeer, and Stabilise represent good sprint form, and others in Rara Avis, St. Cloud, Symbol, Hurry Giri. Sham Boy, and Magglore are all capable of prominent form over seven furlongs. The win and place system will again be in operation, and the following horses are likely to be well supported:— Hunt Cup Steeplechase: Surcoat. Valens, Aussie Ra. Sumner Handicap: Cheddington, Kurawhi, Arabian Night. Lincoln Steeplechase: Slayer, Clansman. Gay Boa. Woolston Handicap: First division—Ann Mie, Varuna: second division —Jolly Time. Enthrall. Grand National Hurdle Race: Pekoe. Foxiana, Kanui to Pai. Spreydon Hurdles: Authoress, Native Song, Heidelberg. Islington Handicap: Rakanui, Gladynev, Palfrey. August Handicap; Compeer, All Night, Sally Lunn. The programme Is as follows: 11.2 a.m.— HUNT CUP, of £300; about two miles and a half.—Surcoat 11-8; Aussie Ra 11-2; Master Dingle 10-13; Golden Memory. Valens 10-11; Valantua 10-5; Wexford Bridge 10-3; Night Hawk 10-1; Golden Glow 9-13; Benevolent 9-11; Night Scout 9-8; Roscman 9-7; Sir Hugh 9-5. 11,52 a.m.— SUMNER HANDICAP, ot £300; nine furlongs.—Good Scout, Cheddington 9-11; Tissue 9-10; Lowry Bay 9-9; Kevin 9-5; Moderate, Court Dress 8-12; Georgia 8-11; Forte 8-10; Gay Lancer 8-6; Johnemby 8-5; Arabian Night, Kurawhi 8-4; Miss Clorane 8-2; Norse 8-1; Prince Shad, Halt, Dispense, Mybcl, Troja, Kilcato 8-0. STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP. of £800; about three miles.—Slayer 11-10; Clansman 10-13; Dozie Boy 10-7; Erination 10-2; Cherry Plum 10-0; Recollection 9-11; Ruling Star 9-8; Anglo French, Gay Boa 9-2; Limbohm 9-0. 1.22 P.m. — WOOLSTON HANDICAP, of £300; seven fU Firsf S Division—Ann Mie 9-2; Josette 8-10; Rebel Lady 8-8; Nighfglass 8 : 6; Miss Waitarcre 8-2; Bramble. Tawhalnui. Wedding Ring, Stormy Petrel, Warngal, Varuna Monmouth, Recompense. Gunga Dm, Junior. Kernel. Night Lancer 8-0. Second Division—Jolly Time 9-1; Mauretania 8-8; Gay Lancer 8-7; Milton Abbas 8- Willow Wood, Full Pitch, Cataract, Dark Colleen, Lord Advocate. Enthrall. Prince Dolomite, Cheap Lodging, Ozel, Retainer, Night Believer, Warfield, Desert Love 8-0. NATIONAL HURDLES, ot £looo’ two miles and a half and 160 yards -Foxiana 11-5; Erndale 11-1; Kanui Te Pai 10-4 (inc. 41b rehandicap); Master Lackham 10-2; Noko 10-1; Dividend. 9-13, Renascor 9-8; Malacca 9-6; Pekoe 9-4; Merry Simon 9-3: Auctor, Alienate. Turaki. Heidelberg. Knight Commander, Inquisitor. Rockery 9Z ' SPREYDON HURDLE RACE HANDICAP, of £300; one mile and three-quar-ters and £0 yards.—Authoress 12-1; Native Song 11-6; Merry Simon 11-1; Donadea 10- Rockery 9-13; Adina 9-12; Strip, Heidelberg 9-10; Phalanx 9-9; Distress Signal. Bow Street, Lickem, Fcrriby, Gleucos, Nuturoa 9-0. HANDICAP, of £500; one mile and a quarter.—Rakanui 10-5; Bolovna 9-9: Gladynev 9-8; Don’t Forget g.'j- Wardress 9-0; Atreus, First Round 8-B : Cherokee 8-5; Palfrey, Minority 8-4; Fidelis 8-2; Good Scout. Beau Ciel, Triple Crown, Greek Dancer. Valcron, The Joker, Tea Drop 8-0. 4.22 p.m.— AUGUST HANDICAP, of £400; seven furlongs.—Sallv Lunn 9-7; Poutatau 8-11; Fleet Street, St. Cloud. Minority. Symbol, 8-8- All Night 8-7; Compeer 8-5: Stabilise 8-4- Rara Avis 8-3: Hurry Girl, Red Dash, Gav Parade 8-2; Eulogist. Sham Boy 8-1; iMaggiore, Imperium, Shikari, Josette 8-0.