GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25248, 29 July 1947, Page 4

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

RACING

ACCEPTANCES FOR FIRST DAY The following are the acceptances for the first day of the Canterbury Jockey Club s Grand National meeting at Riccarton next Saturday:— 1032 a.m.— ENFIELD STEEPLECHASE,

THE NATIONAL FIELD

PAGE’S RAID WILL BE FIT HORSE After the running of the Homeby Steeplechase it is no surprise that there are only 11 acceptors, for the Grand National Steepled ase at Riccarton next Saturday, and there are certainly no surprise defections. After bis in the Homeby Steeplechase it was hardly to be expected that Royal Writ would taka his place in the field, while it became fairly obvious that Good Armour would not be an acceptor when he was returned home after the third day of the Wellington meeting. His presence would have made the race more interesting, but he will be all the better for being left for another season before tackling a stiff test like the Grand National in his first season over country. No doubt his connexions have the four-tnile journey of the Great Northern Steeplechase in view for this good stayer next winter. The defection of Royal Writ and Good Armour leaves Fage’s Raid to carry No. 1 saddle-cloth in the race and he is fully deserving of the honour. He will be an •ven better horse for his race in the Homeby Steeplechase and he is going to be even more difficult to beat with an additional mile to run, while has has also 41b less to carry than he had last Saturday. When Page’s Raid returned to WiPgatui after racing at the Great Northern meeting last month he was still feeling the effects of his mishap in the Great Northern Steeples and his trainer, H. A. Anderton, had to give him time to recover, then start him off on what is in effect his second preparation for steeplechasing this vear. His race in the Pareora Hunters’ Plate brought him on nicely for his engagement in the Homeby Steeplechase, and the latter race proved a splendid trial for the Grand National.

Filibeg’s display on Saturday did nothing to justify his being in No. 2 posi;L on a Grand National field, and altnough he got round safely he ran a typi-

cal non-'stayer’s race. Surpeen was the show jumper of the Homeby field and his jumping ability will be even more in his favour with the longer journey in the National. He ran out the four miles of the Great Northern Steeples well enough to finish second to Brookby Song, but the faster pace at Riccarton last Saturday found him just wanting in stamina. Nevertheless what he lacks in that direction he makes up for in gameness. Town Survey has yet to make Ms acouaintance with the Riccarton fences, but there is an opinion that he may shape better on the firmer going at Ricca* ton than he did at Trentham. Red Glare did not race in the Homeby, but is quite familiar with Riccarton fences as this will be his third National meeting. Red Glare has been at Riccarton almost a fortnight and has done particularly well since he arrived. With 10-4 next Saturday he has 201 b less than he carried into third place last year.

Spirillum’s experience as a steeplechaser is limited to one race over light brush country at Avondale, but he is a massive horse and a real steeplechase type. He is to be schooled over the course this morning, and great interest will attach to his showing. Roman Ned made two rather inglorious appearances at Riccarton last year. He fell two fences from home in the Lawford Hack Steeplechase at the Hunt Club meeting and ran off in the Enfield Steeplechase the following Saturday. With 9-9 he will be a much more formidable candidate next Saturday. At Trentham he showed himself to be a sound jumper and he is a good solid type that should do well at Riccraton, now that he has had more experience. Tamerlane’s chances look poor. His misfortune was that the race he won was of sufficient value to put him out of hacks.

Spanish Main made a bold attempt to repeat his last year’s victory in the Homebv Steeplechase last Saturday. Apart from being the best of those on the minimum in the Grand National, in which he was runner-up last year, Spanish Main looks a particularly strong light-weight candidate. The chances of Appeasement and Abbey Lu. the other two horses on the minimum, hardly appeal. Apart from his lack of sneed Appeasement does not insnire confidence when jumping. Like Abbey Lu his only recommendation is his ability to plod on at the one speed. On the day Page’s Raid is likely to be a short-nriced favourite with Spanish Main and Roman Ned probably the best fancied of the others.

Of £600. About two miles and a half. st. lb. st. lb. Bravura 10 8 Fairy house 9 8 Ballyaggan 10 6 Edward 9 4 Cloister 10 2 Hughsotis .. 9 0 Paladeo 10 0 Tissue Paper 9 0 Troytown .. 9 12 Real Night 9 0 Waihopi 11.17 a.m.— 9 11 CASHMERE PLATE, Of £400. Six furlongs. st. lb. st. Ib. Agenda 8 5 Liebestraum 8 5 Beau Bijou 8 5 Magnaform 8 5 Beaugard .. 8 5 Ned Kelly 8 5 Broie 8 5 Royal Sal eve 8 5 Carry On .. 8 5 All’s Fair .. 8 0 Confidence Cerisette 8 0 Trick 8 5 Faultrosa .. 8 0 Coral Arc .. 8 5 Golden Hope 8 0 Count Jacquee 8 0 Minerva 8 5 Lodestar 8 0 Detract 8 5 Paramour .. 8 0 Gold Post Medallion 8 5 Graduate 8 0 Leadership 12.2 p.m.— 8 5 Sally Gazelle 8 0 JUMPERS ’ FLAT HANDICAP Of £600. One mile and a half st. lb. st. lb. Prize Ring 10 11 Matapan 9 9 Bay Robe .. 10 9 Kassai 9 9 Desert Trek 10 6 Royal Flash 9 7 Battle Chief 10 5 King’s Ace 9 3 Boolamskee 10 2 Glad Fox .. 9 0 Sphere 10 0 The Dude .. 9 0 Periwig 12.47 p.m.— 9 12 PAPARUA HANDICAP, Of £700. Seven furlongs. st. lb. st. lb. Royal Tan Al-Sira t Whitley 9 3 Lady Chips 8 0 9 1 Graeme 8 0 Frances 8 11 Julius Caesar 8 0 Douglas Dash o’ Dink 8 0 Haig 8 10 Martial Note 8 0 Panope 8 10 Sedgemere 8 0 Playtos 8 10 Zorro 8 0 Lorna Leigh 8 8 Kashmiri 8 0 Young Bob 8 7 Rival Chase 8 0 John o’ Bath Slipoer 8 0 London 8 4 All Quality 8 0 Zealander .. 8 4 Legal Rose 8 0 Finalist 8 4 Mr Buzz 8 0 Cipher 1.32 p.m — 8 1 N.Z. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, Of £3500. Chree tniles and a half. st. lb. st. lb. Page’s Raid 10 9 Roman Ned 9 9 Filibeg 10 8 Tamerlane 9 2 Surpeen 10 5 Spanish Town Survey 10 4 Main 9 0 Red Glare . 10 4 Appeasement 9 0 Spirillum . t.17 p m.— 10 3 Abbey Lu .. 9 0 TRIAL HURDLES, Of £600. One mile and three-quarters and 50 yards. st. lb. st. lb. The Crofter 10 11 Wane 9 7 Flying Ace 10 11 Turf Topic 9 5 Kassai 10 6 John Gay .. 9 5 Montello Kosciusko .. 9 2 d’Oro 10 2 Knight Ruling Crusader 9 0 Momen 10 2 Silver Strean 19 0 Duality 9 13 Lord Roland 9 0 Night Fighter 9 13 Fading Light 9 0 Tutere 9 12 Firechase 9 0 Aldis Lamp 3.2 p.m.— 9 8 WINTER CUP, Of £2000. One mile. st. lb. st. lb. Soneri 11 4 Matador 8 5 Longsword 10 10 Sari 8 5 Findon 9 12 Miss Medley 8 4 Howe 9 11 Good Cast .. 8 4 Bridge Acre 9 11 Deep Lexia 9 10 Harmony 8 1 Lord Elgin 9 7 Velvet Slipper 8 1 Pensacola . 9 6 Riverview .. 8 0 Detain 9 5 Eudora -. 8 0 Verdant 9 4 Night Blush 8 0 Alamode . 9 2 Te-Muka 8 0 Blanket 8 9 Clyde Bridge 8 0 Hakim 8 9 Juriste 8 0 Sumra 8 8 Sahib 8 0 AVONHEAD HACK HANDICAP, Of £500. st. lb. One mile. st. lb. Copper Coin 10 2 Precipitate 8 2 Special Flight 9 13 Deficiency . 8 1 Ganjah 9 3 Bobby Sandy’s Pride 9 1 Dazzler 8 0 Queen’s Fine Night 8 0 Genera 9 0 Blue Hussar 8 0 Lady Welbeck 8 12 Valiant Royal Robe 8 8 Vanity King 8 0 Beechwood 8 8 Mr Buzz 8 0 Altruist 8 6 Polka .'. 8 0 Lady Melrose 8 6 Wandering Robingay . 8 5 Minstrel 8 0 Fort Silver 8 5 Kinrara 8 0 Quadrille . 8 4 Imasong 8 0 Penetrate 8 4 Quick Lunch 8 0