NATIONAL ACCEPTANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 31, 5 August 1933, Page 7

NATIONAL ACCEPTANCE

VERY SATISFACTORY FIELDS

MEMBO ENTERS THE COUNT

There were no surprise results in the final acceptances ■•for the Grand Nationals and the Winter Cup, most of the probable defections from the fields having been earlier noted. All the favoured division in all three races, barring only those whom it had already become known would not be at Riccarton, remain in, so the acceptances should not give any particular concern to those who have been following their desire' of sorting out the fields during the early pre-race running. The Grand National Steeplechase has dropped from thirteen to nine likely runners. This is a small acceptance compared with the last two years, in each of which there were sixteen acceptors and runners, but three years ago (Aurora Borealis's year) there were only eight runners, the year before that (Wiltshire's second year) only seven, still a year earlier (Wiltshire's first year) only eight, and still another year earlier (Beau Cavalier's year) only nine. The dozen acceptors for the Grand National Hurdles make the field the same strength at the payment as it was last year, and on that earlier occasion the twelve horses' went to the post. A bracket (Makeup and Landmark), however, will provide at least one less totalisator number this year than there were last year. Two years ago (Jallamart's year) there were sixteen runners in the Hurdles, three years ago (Carinthia's year) ten runners, four years ago (Mangani's year) thirteen runners, live years ago (Nukumai's year) nine runners, and six years ago (Wharnclilfe's year) eight runners. It will therefore bo seen that this year's Nationals have filled quite up to the average of the last half-dozen years. In the Winter Cup there is the usual solid acceptance, the seven dropping out at Thursday's final payment leaving a potential field of nineteen runners. This compares favourably with last year's 22 acceptors (all of whom paraded), and, if anything, it is still just a little too large for all horses to have, equal chances in the running. Two years ago (Kahikatoa's year) the Winter Cup was contested by twenty-three horses, three years ago (Toxeuma's year) by twenty horses^ four years ago (Historic's year) by nineteen horses, -five years ago (Bisox's year) by twenty-one horses, and six years ago (Solferitc's year) by twenty-two horses. The average of the past half dozen years in this race has also been well maintained. As to the prospects in the three big events, little has occurred during the past week for there to have been any material change, except that High Commisioner, as previously announced, has dropped oift of the Hurdles count. . In the Steeples, Luna Lux; and Copey may be entitled still to retain preference over Callamart, Omeo, and Billy Boy. In the Hurdles, Adventus and Makeup (or Landmark) appear to hold the best claim, but the presence of the previously doubtful Membo in the acceptance for this race and for the Jumpers' Flat on the first day must lift him also into the mostfavoured division; Prince of Orange, Gold Knight, and Punchestown arc others who claim many staunch admirers. In the Winter Cup there is Cylinder, ■and if the track is firm (or even not too heavy) he has class that should prevail over the others. Formidable opposition is liable from Polydora, Foreign Queen, Beacon Fire, and Merry Peel, and if the going be against the topweight the winner may ultimately come from this quartet. It does not look a bottomweight's' year, though more than Ijalt the field is on the minimum, but if one does ' spring to light it may be Cranford.