STEEPLECHASE EVENT

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1934, Page 4

STEEPLECHASE EVENT

THE WiM OF DON ERMA

The only oross-country event was the Grandstand Steeplechase, and this saw the downfall of a warm favourite in Riotous, who was well beaten into second place. Don Erma was, the second choice ,and he won.i although he had a life at the last fence, where his rider took a risk. Manuiri might even have won had his rider not left his run too late.

Bon • Aryanr made the early running, Riotous blundering at. the first fence, but there was nothing between, the field at the end of;the first circuit, which saw the race half:.pv:er, Riotous having moved up second place. Bon Aryan stopped badly at the' ■ hencoop along the back, where Manuiri took off too soon but recovered^well.r ' Don *Erma went--to. the lead half a mile from home, and he was m front of Riotous from then onwards with Tunbridge and Manuiri handy enough. At; the. three furlongs DOll Jirma a rider looked round- just before taking. theJina}- fence and the horse nearly crashed.. • Asi it. .was. he lost his. four lengths advantage over Riotous ■ The favourite maSe a good effort on the flat and, aided by. Don Erma's blunder, almost drew level but Don Erma was got coin" again to win by half a length. Manuiri was finishing- fast four, lengths away third,-having made up a lot of ground in the last'three furlongs. Tunbrid^e and Royston finished at intervals and Bon Aryan was a long way back. '■ Don Erma won very well indeed, and will develop into a" useful 'chaser. He would have won easily but for the incident at the -last fence.. Riotous was steadied a bit by his weight, and in addition did not jump as well as formerly. He covered perhaps more ground thnn anything else 111 the.race. Manuiri was a bit unlucky ajuKover the longer journ% on 'patii-day.may be a good prospect. lunbndge was ' disappointing after having every chance. Royal Reign was a _ course scratching, so her chances this winter are not over bright.