RACING MR WHAT WINS GRAND NATIONAL AT AINTREE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28549, 31 March 1958, Page 6

RACING MR WHAT WINS GRAND NATIONAL AT AINTREE

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LIVERPOOL. March 29

Me What won for Ireland the Grand National, the world’s greatest steeplechase run over four miles and 854 yards at Aintree today. The young eight-year-old ’chaser, seeing the tough Aintree fences for the first time won easily, although carrying 61b overweight for the services of the top English jockey, Arthur Freeman.

Mr What, starting at 18 to 1, almost came down at the last fence with the race at his mercy. Second was the mare, Tiberetta, which had finished third- last year. She. finished 30 lengths- behind the Irish-trained winner and started at 28 to 1. In third place, 15 lengths back was the North Country horse. Green Drill, also starting at 28 to 1 in the field of 31 starters. SeVen horses finished. The 6-1 favourite, Wynd burgh, which was second last year, was fourth. Goosander, fifth, E. 5.8., winner two years ago was sixth, and seventh and last was Hpllybank. Richest liver : It was the richest Grand Rational ever, being worth £13,718 10s to the winner. The race, run in a drizzle after heavy overnight rain;: attracted a smaller crowd than usual because of the bad weather. The going was heavy. There were no serious accidents to horse or rider.

Mr What, a bay gelding by Grand Inquisitor out of Duchess of Pedulas. is trained at Rathcoole in County Dublin by Tom Taaffe. whose two sons were riding in the race. Mr What jumped impeccably, apart from his error at the last fence, to give Ireland its fifth victory since the war and 38th since the turn of the century. '.t

The winning owner, Mr David Coughlan, is a manufacturing chemist in County Cork. It was a chance ride for Freeman who only got the mount as his previous engagements fell through. Mr What did not make a move forward until approaching the end of the first circuit where he took the water • jump in fourth place behind Goosander, Athenian and Never Say When.

Going out into the country the second time he raced up to Goosander and they were racing neck and neck as they came to the dreaded Bechers Brook. In Front As they landed on the far side of Bechers, Mr What was in front and he continued his winning way to the finishing post to the great delight of the huge Irish contingent present. Behind him a great battle ensued for the minor positions. At Valentines Brook, five fehces from the end. Green Drill raced into second place ahead of Goosander, which was also passed by Tiberetta. Mr What hit the last fence very hard, but Freeman stayed on and balancing him neatly strode away to win by one of the biggest margins for many years. The winner’s owner, confessed after the race he did not put a Id on his horse. “But my wife had her maximum wager of £1 each way,” he said. . . . „ , The Australian-owned hunter. Colledge Master, was pulled up after completing the first circuit. He was prominent for the first eight jumps. Result:— GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLEOf £16,325. Four miles’ and 856 yards. Mr D. Coughlan’s ’ MR WHAT by Grand Inquisitor—Dutchess of Pedulas Byrs 10-6 A. Freeman 1 Mr E. R. Courage’s Tiberetta 10-6 G. Slack 2 Lord Cadogan’s Green Drill 10-10 G. Bulburn 3 Thirty lengths; 15 lengths. Wyndwas fourth. Time, lOmin Betting: 18-1 (Mr What), 28-1 (Tiberetta). 28-1 (Green Drill).