THE GRAND NATIONAL

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 64, 17 March 1933, Page 4

THE GRAND NATIONAL

THIS YEAR'S CANDIDATES

FOUR EARLIER WINNERS

With the exception of the worldfamous English Derby, run yearly on the celebrated- Epsom Downs, there is no more notable Turf event in the English (and probably the world's) annual racing calendar than the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase, which will this year be contested on the historic Aintree course next Friday (March 24).

Fifty-six of the original 67 entrants held their ground at the first acceptance on February 1, and' it was anticipated that a big field would still remain in the race when the final acceptance was taken (last Tuesday). Last year the field was reduced from 58 to 47 at the first acceptance, and there were finally 36 starters, of whom only eight completed. It is probable that well over v4O horses will attempt the fascinating course next week.

The National is now confined to six-year-olds and upwards -who at time of . entry have been placed first, second, or third (by the judge) in a. steeplechase of three miles or upwards of a value' of 200 eovs to the winner, or the equivalent in foreign distances and money, or in a . steeplechase of any distance at Aintree, or have won any steeplechase of a value of 500 soys (or the equivalent in foreign money) to the winner (selling races in every case excepted). Such conditions were not attached to the race till two years ago, and there was an extension "ast year to "at time of entry" instead of "at any time prior to a fixed date a few days before the race." The distance is about four miles and 850 yards. PRINCIPAL WITHDRAWALS. The only favoured horse to drop out last month was Thomorid 11, owned by the young American sportsman, Mr.. J. H. Whitney, who, however, was still represented in the field by Lone Eagle 11, Slater, and Dusty Foot. The other withdrawals included the German entrant, Eemus IV, and the French horse, El Hadgar, whose connections evidently considered that 12.2 was too solid a burden. Gregalach, the topweight with the maximum (12.7) and a previous winner, remained in the field last month, and at fairly recent advice he was ruling second favourite to Golden Miller; Grakle, another previous winner, was nest on the list with 12.2, and others above 12 stone were the French horse, Coup de Chateau, Golden Miller, and Shaun Goilin (the winner between Gregalach's and Grakle's years). Commenting on the handicaps, an English critic writes just before the first acceptance as follows:—"It is felt that the handicapper has looked well after the French horses, and he has not taken any risks with Trouble Maker, an American representative, in putting him on the list 61b mark. "We have at last seen America's champion, Trouble Maker, but it was little more than an exercise gallop, and he -was not asked tb make a serious effort. His connections are very serious in their bid to win the National. He was brought over'some 'time ago) and ■he is being privately trained' by Mr. Laing, who has ridden him in all his races at home, and will pilot him at Aintree. 'Trouble Maker is said to be endowed with wonderful stamina, and, as far' as one could tell in his' outing at Birmingham, he jumps safely. It 19 always difficult properly.to a.ppraise the merits of visiting horses until they are thoroughly tested under English conditions. FAVOURITE'S WEIGHT. miss. Dorothy Paget'a Golden Miller appears to have been rather harshly treated. I have described him as the best sis-year-old 'chaser, but a weight of 12st .21b seems rather excessive for a horse' o£ his age. In fact, no six-year-old has ever carried such a .burden to victory in the long history of the race. "Golden Miller was responsible for a brilliant performance at Hurst Park recently. He had 12st 71b in the saddle, but he ran so__well, and won so easily that he was declared to be the best three-mile 'chaser in training. He has not yet been tested over four and a half miles. Further, he has not been over jumps as severe as those which he will have to face in the National.. "Forbra, who was the winner at Aintree last year, has been given an additional 161b, and his owner cannot complain. Moreover, the horse is such a true stayer that if he has any luck I think he will again figure prominently He beat Egremont by three lengths, and the latter in comparison has been given an allowance of 81b. "It may be recalled that at one stage last year the name of Annandale was shouted as the winner, but he fell two fences from home. His weight remains the same. ' "Eemus the biggest horse in training, was unable to run last year when he had lOst 91b. Now he has list 121b He has shown that the Aintree fences hold no terrors for him. At Newbury recently he was.not expected to be forward enough to win, but he did so. He was at nothing like ; his.best at Newbury, but his long strides were impressive, and he jumped splendidly. r,^^ 6 iyi of Society over four miles at Cheltenham seemed a most convincing test. It was a good field, but, while several rivals came to grief, Society jumped m facile style and won with some pounds in hand. Owned by Mr: Geoffrey Shakerley, who will ride her at Aintree the mare a strong finish when other runners were showing signs of distress was a marked feature of her performance."