THE GRAND NATIONALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22166, 20 July 1935, Page 11

THE GRAND NATIONALS

STEEPLES AND HURDLES REVIEW OF HANDICAPS LIKELY EARLY FANCIES BY ARCHER / The declaration of the weights for the Grand National Steeplechase, the Grand National Hurdles and the Winter Cup five tinvs before they were due to appear has caused a quickening of interest in the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting, to be held at Riccarton on August 13, 15 and 17. Followers of racing will thus have ample time to analyse the adjustments very thoroughly before the acceptances close noxt Friday, when a more dofinito idea of owners' intentions should be obtained. Last year's winner, Valpeen, is topweight in the Grand National Steeplechase with 11.13, which is a substantial rise froi:a tho 10.0 he carried last August. However, he has in tho meantime added further to his laurels and his latest success was achieved with 11.4 in the Wellington Steeplechase. At his last start he was a moderate fourth with 12.0 in the July Steeplechase at Trentham and ho will now meet Tudor, the winner, on Blb. better terms, while he meets l'ahu 31b. and ltiotous 21b, worse. Valpeen seems to be partial to the Hiccarton country, where his splendid fencing stood him in such good stead Inst year, and he must be respected in spite of his..big weight.

Tudor's Impost - • ; With 11.8 Tudor has 71b. more than ho successfully carried in tho July Steeplechase at Trentham, but that should not put him out of it, as he is a brilliant jumper likely to handle the Hiccartoii fences better than most. Billy Boy has not raced just lately, missine both Ellerslie aud Trentham, and there may be no disposition to fancy him at this stage owing to his lack of recent form. The usually reliable Riotous has made mistakes in his latest races and uusSeated his rider in both starts at Trentham. He has 21b. more than he had in the Wellington Steeplechase, in which he was going well until he hit a fence very hard and lost his pilot. Riotous fell in last .year's contest, but' he is capable, of a sound performance and may beat more than will beat him. The southerner Dunmure has received a rise of 81b. for his third in the Wellington Steoplechase and now meets the winner Valpeeu only lib. better; la addition, he comes in"6lb. worse through Ruby Meteor, who was second, and the figures are certainly not in his favour. Evidently the hamlicapper, Mr. J. E. 1 Henrys, was among those who thought Dunmure would have won at Trentham only for hitting a fence very hard about seven furlongs from home. The Panmure gelding has been allotted his full share of weight, but,even so, he may be one of the, dangerous ones, as the best has probably not; yet been seen of him. Chance lor Ruby Meteor

On her Wellington Steeplechase performance Ruby Meteor should have a good chance with 9.13, which is only 21b. more thaii she had in that race. She got only as far as the third fence in the July Steeplechase, wherein she unseated her pilot. However, she is usually a reliable conveyance and she may defeat riust of those below her. Transact would not be out of it with 9.11, but he went amiss recently and there may be a doubt about him starting. Free Air is a genuine stayer who should prove very dangerous with 9.5 if H. Itama can got her to- the post thoroughly fit. She is frequently troubled with soreness, but she gave a pleasing display of schooling at Ricoarton dur.ng tne week and is evidently progressing very satisfactorily in her preparal ion. ; Clan Ronald is a dashing fencer who won among the hack steeplechasers at Ellerslie and is handily placed with 9.13. The doubt about him is whether he can see three and a-half miles rijht out, as there is a suspicion regarding his wind. Boyal Limond's form at- Trentham was too bad to be true and no risk has been taken wjth him at 10.8. l'ossibly he may do better on his home track, i'unchestown has been schooling well and others who may have prospects are Pahu, London, Night I'arade and Alanawatu. The early fancies may take a fairly wide range and among them may be included Tudor, Valpeen, Riotous, Ruby Meteor, Dunmurc and Free Air.

[Esteem's Good Prospects The weights for the Grand National Hurdles arc modelled on much the same lines as in tho Winter Hurdles at Trentham and form in the latter race sioukl give a good line on the prospects. There was not a great deal between Revision, Esteem, Lycidas and Master Musk at the end of two and a-quarter miles at Trentham and they should require only to train on satisfactorily to make the contest very interesting. Revision has a rise of 91b. from the Winter Hurdles, Esteem is up 31b., Lycidas is risen lib., and Master Musk remains on the same mark, 9.0. The rise mnv steady Revision somewhat, but she is a rare slaver. However, under the altered terms Esteem, Lycidas and Master Musk, who are improvers, should all have good prospects of turning tho tables on her this time. Tudor is handily placed with 10.3 and if reserved for this event he should make a bold showing. Rasouli is not overburdened with 10.f) and should go well. Hounslow, risen 21b. for his unplaced performance in tho \\ inter Hurdles, has none the best of the figures, but he seems to be recovering form and he may be more at home at Riccarton. Yal Watch should be a strong possibility with 9.13, and others who may be worthy of some consideration with the weights they have been apportioned are Free Air, Black Duke, Travelling Agent, Adult and Brigadore. The early favourites may be Esteem, Lycidas, Master Musk, Tudor, Rasouli and Val Watch.

GILMER'S APPEAL FAILS TRENTHAM STEEPLES INCIDENT [BY TELEGRAM! —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Friday The appeal of the jockey A, J. Gilmer, rider of Ruby Meteor in the Wellington Steeplechase at Trentham last week, was dismissed by the Wellington district committee at a special meeting to-day. Gilmer was suspended for three months by Wellington Racing Club's Judicial Committee on the finding th.it he deliberately attempted to run Yalpeen off at the-last fence, and it was against this decision that he appealed. RACING FIXTURES July 20—Hawke's Bay Hunt Club. July'24—Rangitikei Hunt Club. July 25 Waimate District Hunt Club. July 25. 27-Poverty Bay Turf Club. .Tuly 27—South Canterbury Hunt Club July 27—Mnnnwntu Racine; Club August 3—Chrißtcburch Hunt Club. Anjrußt. 3 —Poverty Bay Hunt Club. August 13, 15, 17—Canterbury Jockey Club. August 24—Pakursngs Hunt Club. August 29—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club (at New Plymouth). August 31—Taran&ki Hunt Club.