GRAND NATIONAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 67, 21 March 1939, Page 15

GRAND NATIONAL

FORTY LIKELY STARTERS Following the victory of the Ameri-can-bred and owned horse Battleship in last year's Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree, the flat racing season was noteworthy for the unusual number of good handicaps that fell to horses from France. Whether these results were indicative, as some declared^ of deterioration in the quality of British stock or not, is a question that cannot be answered from one year's racing. When first acceptances for the Grand National, which will be decided on. Friday, were taken six weeks ago, 53 of the 69 nominated had their engagements continued, including all the most important jumpers. Battleship was not entered this year, but his owner, Mrs. Marion .Scott, will be represented by War Vessel, who was allotted 10.7. Miss Dorothy Paget, who is reputed to have spent £500,000 on racing under both rules in England, entered Kilstar who is to attempt to repeat Golden Miller's performance of winning thefi race in his first essay. Topweight, at the allowed maximum, 12.7, for this year's contest is Royal Mail, owned by Mrs. C. Evans. He won two years ago under 11.13 and also had 12.7 last year when he was pulled up after breaking a blood vessel. The ruling favourite appears to be Royal Danieli, who finished only a neck behind Battleship last year. Final acceptances were taken last Tuesday, but they are not to hand. An earlier message gave the probable starters as 40 and their riders as under: GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. A sweepstake of £100, with £3800 and trophy valued at £200 added; about 4 miles and 856 yds. (To be run at Aintree on March 24.) Eoyal Mail, lOyrs, 12.7 (D. Morgan). Alrgead Sios, 9yrs, 12.1 (T. McNeill). Royal Danieli, Byrs, 11.3 (C. Moore) . Dunhill Castle, 9yrs, 11.9 (F. Walwjrn). Cooleen, llyrs, 11.8 (J. Fawcus). Rocqullla, 9yrs, 11.7 (T. V. Carey). Jovial Judge, 9yr3, 11.4 (A. W. Goodwill). Brendan's Cottage, 9yrs, 11.2 (G. Owen). Domlnick's Cross, Syrs, 11.1 (R. Everett). Teme Willow, Byrs 10.13 (T. F. Rimell). Perfect Part, 9yrs, 10.13 (J. I». Ward). Luckpenny, lOyrs, 10.12 (Major Mosely). Red Hillman, 9yrs, 10.12 (H. tfoley). St. George XI, lOyrs, 10.11 (Mr. R. Petre). La Touche, Tyrs, 10.9 (R. Burford). Black Hawk, Byrs, 10.8 (J. Moloney). Inverslble, llyrs, 10.7 {M. Hogan). War Vessel, 6yrs, 10.7 (R. Morgan). Workman, 9yrs, 10.6 (J. Hyde). Red Freeman, Byrs, 10.5 (W. Redmond). Second Act, Byrs, 10.5 (Dowdeswell). Blue Shirt, Byrs, 10.4 (R. V. Smyth). Marconi, 7yrs, 10.4 (Mr. A. P. Parker). Montrejeau 11, 9yrs, 10.4 (H. Nicholson). Macmoffatt, 7yrs, 10.3 (I. R. Alder). Milano, Syrs, 10.3 (Mr. Stoddard). Kilstar, Syrs, 10.3 (G. W. Archibald). Bachelor Prince, 12yrs, 10.2 (T. leaac). West Point, 6yrs, 10.2 (Brogan). Deslys, lOvrs, 10.1. Under Bid, 7yrs, 10.0 (G. Wilson). Sporting Piper, Byrs, 10.0 (T. R. Elder). Downright, lOyrs, 10.0 (Mr. J. Seely). Birthgift, Byrs, 10.0 (J. P. Bissill). Tuckmill, 9yrs, 10.0 (Mr. R. Black). Lucky Patch, 9yrs, 10.0 (E. K. Piggot). Symaethis, Tyrs, 10.0 (M. Freakes). Drim, 12yrs, 10.0 (Mr. J. Morris). Pencraik, 12yrs, 10.0 (Mr. J. H. M. Gordon). Mesmerist, Byrs, 10.0 (Captain R. Harding). ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "8.V."-—B.V., £2 4s and £1 7s 6d. "Biz."—T.R., £3 13s; 8.V., £1 7s 6d; G.S., £2 2s. "Curious."—V., £8 8s 6d and £2 17s 6d; 0., £5 13s 6d and £2 3s 6d. "Punter." —Jayola has not raced at Napier Park this season. At Wairoa he was beaten by Black Thread but only by half a length.