GRAND NATIONAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20630, 11 August 1941, Page 8

GRAND NATIONAL

SATURDAY’S TRIALS BRIDEGROOM’S ROUND Bridegroom, with his Grand National rider A. Jenkins in the saddle, was associated with Chat (A. E. Lord) in an excellent round of the steeplechase fences at Riecarton on Saturday morning. The pair started olf at the sod wall near the nine-furlong post, and after taking the post and rails together Bridegroom jumped clear over the Kennels double. He held back, Chat joining him, and they kept together for the rest of the round, ending up over Cutts, which Bridegroom took better than his companion. Bridegroom was then given pace work on the sand, and trotted off quite sound. He looks in excellent shape for the Grand National. Chat also shaped well, and she has made marked progress in recent weeks. Gay Boa (H. Preston), and Dauber (F. Cleaver) also went over a round of the fences in good style. They kept together throughout, and were trailed by Waka (E. Jennings). Guy Boa will be a hard horse to beat in the Enfield Steeplechase. Slayer, Dozie Boy, Ballybrit and Whinfinished in the order named nt the end of a working gallop over a mile in 1.56.. Whirr and Slayer made the early pace, but Whirr dropped back in the run home. Ruling Star (J. Hayes), Night Scout (D. Hamill), Young Squatter (A. Baker), Surcoat (P. J. Boyle), La Boca (E. A. Leckie), Panara and Dropped Catch started olf at the sod wall, but Dropped Catch started off at the start and,soon tailed olf. Ail these horses got round well, but they split up into two groups/ over the last half, of the journey, Surcout, Night Scout and Ruling Star heading over Cutts, well clear of Panara, Young Squatter and La Boca. Surcoat and Ruling Star finished full of running. Thick mist made timing impossible except from the miles post until 9.30 o’clock. The course proper was used freely, but was on the dead side. Parchment beat Cymric and Haughty Winner over seven furlongs in 1.36 2-5, the first three in 40 2-ssec. Muffler, joined by Stylosa at the end of a furlong run in 13 2-5 see., ran a mile in 1.49 2-5. They were together at the end. Prudent Prince, with As Required as a mate for the last six furlongs, took 1.49 for a similar task. Atreus and Lunaria rail six furlongs in 1.19 3-5. Atreus should show form soon. St. Cloud had to be well held while running seven furlongs in 1.36 1-5, with Little Robin, the first three in 41 3-ssec. St. Cloud is a fit mare and she drew out a length clear in the last couple of strides. She will be a difficult proposition in the Winter Cup.