THE GRAND NATIONAL

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1931, Page 6

THE GRAND NATIONAL

'I WORLD'S HARDEST RACE

RUN TO-DAY AT AINTREE

Will (ho exception or the -world-famous ."English Devby, run annually on the ecle-' bnitc:il tpsom Downs, the Liverpool Grand National [Steeplechase is Britain's most notable Tm-f event. Instituted as far back as 1839, the spectacular Aintree cross-country race has a glamour and appeal that it can uever lose, so long as England is England, and year after year Knglishmcn all over the world await the 'result with almost avid interest. To-day another field lines up. for the great battle, iiiul in.,-i fen- hours the verdict will be known far and wide throughout tho .whole concerned world. Tho Grand National lias a history o£ nearly 100 years. It begins with the year 1839, when a syndicate* of sportsmen .which had taken over the lease of the grandstand and racecourse at Aintree pro'niotccl it, a condition being that only amateur riders could compete. This rule, however, early became a dead letter, for 'the very first winner, Lottery, was ridden by a leading' professional jockey of the day. The subscription was £20 and the added money was £100. To-day the starting fee is £100 (£6 first forfeit) and thii winner collects from £9000. to £10,000. Until 18-13, when tho race . became a handicap, all horses carried 12st. The minimum weight was fixed in that year, for tho handicapper's guidance, at 9.7, hut after a while it was increased to 10.0. Now it is 10.7, while the maximum scale remains at 12.7. Under the new weight conditions, therefore, with a margin of Vmly 2Slb between the best and the worst in the /ield, tfie high-class steeplechaser las a better opportunity of winning than ever before. A further new condition that comes into £oreo this year is the' qualifying clause that requires every entrant to have been placed, first, second, or third, in a steeplechase ■of three miles or more, or the equivalent in foreign distances, or in a steeplechase of, any distance at Aintree, or to have won any steeplechase worth £500 to the winner (selling races always execpted). It is still permissible, however, .to enter a horse in anticipation of its qualifying before tho day of. the race, find in England, in February and .March, several opportunities are. presented for the non-qualified nominees. The reason for this rule becomes obvious when one considers the enormous fields that in recent years have made the race a great gamble, oven for the best jumpers, and the. relatively small percentage of contestit nts that have completed the course. The Grand National course is generally .recognised .as the stiffest test for 'chasers in the world. The fences themselves are iliflicult enough, but in the whole distance of about four miles and a half are other formidable obstacles. The jump at 3-teehei's. Brook is perhaps the most dreaded, but originally there was a great stone wall, which has long since gone, as being ;too terrible a test. The National is now confined to_ six-year-olds and upwards, but that stipulation will not impose any apparent hardship on younger horses that might otherwise stand a chance, for only four five-year-olds have succeeded in the whole iiistory of the race. Most of the winners ?—by. far the great majority—have been used, and the winner of 1923, Sergeant Murphy, was 13 years. . Included' in the 62 acceptors for this year's race ai'e 32 previous runners, inoluding the winners of the last two events, Shnu'n Gpiliri (1930) andGregalach (1929), and the five who were closest'to the ;win,aier last year—Melleray's Belle, Sir Lindsay, Glangesia, Ballyhanwood, and Eoyal Arch 11. /■■.- At latest advice the firm ruling favourHe for this year's race was Easter Hero, topweight with the maximum (12.7), who did not compete last" year owing to injury, but who.was second in 1929.' He will be ridden by Trod Eees, one of the most able and artistic horsemen in England. Others whose chances have, been specially favoured are Gregalach (12.0), Kakushin (11.13), Grakle (11.7), Sir Lindsay (11.6), ■Richmond 11. (11.0), Ballasport (11.0), Sandy Hook (10.12),. Apostasy (10.12), Melleray's Belle (10.10), and Drinmond !<M,7). "