THE GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 11 August 1928, Page 13

THE GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLES

TASK OF' THU; TOP-WEIGHT

Though few horses with top w’cighls have succeeded in the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase, Beau

Cavalier .is at present the popular fancy for the lug Riccarton even). iTTo scored in last year’s contest with 11.7, top weight, arid his admirers expect him to take a lot of heating again this month. To some extent backers must be guided by past result,s in all the important jumping events and handicaps, (Comments the Christchurch .“Sun.” In [past yea'rs the Grand National has jlioen a fairly good iface ftjit the' fioavyfweights, tho'ugn out of tftp last dozen contests only three top-weighis have’ boon returned winners.

Tho following is a list of tho topweights, and how they have fared, since 1925

I.9l6—Brnebtini, 11.11 Unplaced 1917 Art, 11.6 Unplaced 1918— Master- Si rowan, 12.7 Third

1919 Waimai, 12.7 Uriplaco.l 1920 Lochella, 12.7 Unplaced 1921 Coalition, 12.7 Won J922-Coalition, 12.7 Unplaced 1923 Oakleigh, 12.0 Won 1924 Oakleigli, 12.5 Unplaced 1925 Sir Roseberry, 12.3 ... Unplaced 1926 Passin’ Through Unplaced 1927 Beau Cavalier, 11.7... Woii The weight-carrying record for the big Riccavton event is held by Canard, who, way back in 1886, when the journey was four miles, won with the steadier of 12.10. But Agent is undoubtedly the hero of the long-estab-lished event, for lie won if on three occasions. In 1879 he carried 12.0 to victory, he won the following year with 12.7 and in 1884, with 12.6.0 n his hack, he won again. OAKLETOTI THE LAST

Oaklcigh, in 1923, was the last to succeed with over 12.0, but two years previously Coalition carried 12.7 to victory. So it will be seen that Beau Cavalier is set no impossible task to win this year’s event with 12.5, and with all his weight lie is going to he difficult to beat.

In tho Wellington Steeplechase Beau Cavalier conceded the winner, Pouri, 321 b, but in the Grand National .lie meets the Spalpeen gelding on 81b heller terms. As Pouri was very tired at the end of the big Trcntlium race, lie will need to improve to beat Beau Cavalier at Riccarton, especially as there will be over two furlongs more to travel. Anything may happen in a steeplechase, and though it is* argued in some quarters that Pouri, aided by his light impost, will wear Beau Cavalier down, he will need to have improved in stamina since he last raced to do so.

It is possible that Pouri’s rider, E. Warner, will adopt the same tactics as in the Wellington Steeplechase, by attempting to make Beau Cavalier carry his big weight- all the way. But W. Bowden, rider of Beau Cavalier, is a thoroughly experienced horseman and is not likely to be caught napping.

SCION’S CHANCES

(By Telegraph.—Special to “The Mail")

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

Scion lias come in for strong demand for the Grand National Hurdles. He schooled well on Thursday and galloped a milo on the inside track, finishing strongly. Scion, who is ten years old, looks better now than for some seasons past, and his connections are confident that lie will be on hand at the end of the journey in the big hurdles.