WORLD FAMOUS RACE

Southland Times, Issue 23774, 23 March 1939, Page 11

WORLD FAMOUS RACE

Liverpool National Steeplechase ROYAL DANIELI MAY BE FAVOURITE BIG EVENT AT AINTREE TOMORROW In the ranking of the world-famous races and Grand National Steeplechase, to be run over the famous Aintree course at Liverpool, tomorrow, is second only to the English Derby. Each in its entirety is a supreme test of staying ability, horses having to adapt themselves to the difficult Derby course at Epsom just as the steeplechasers have to do at Aintree. The Grand National has a strong appeal to some sportsmen, because it is a test, not only of jumping ability, but of endurance combined with speed. Horses no longer travel at the hand canter rate at which they did in steeplechases in the days gone by, but, although the course has not been much changed during the passing of the years, winners of the historic event at Aintree in later years have been able to make better time than steeplechasers of long ago, which, of course, can be readily understood when it is taken into account that the courses nowadays are being constantly tended and improved. Included in the difficult course at Aintree are all types of country, and in one section of the course the candidates pass through a strip of ploughed land, which, in any season would take its toll of a horse’s condition in this long and tiring race. When first acceptances for the Grand National were taken six weeks ago, 53 of the 69 nominated had their engagements continued, including all the most important jumpers. English critics seemed to be agreed, according to the files to hand, that the 1939 Grand National -prospects could be narrowed down to small compass, the favourites being Macauley and Royal Danieli. However, Macauley, from latest advice, is a doubtful starter. SUCCESSOR FOR BATTLESHIP Battleship, last year’s winner, 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 what his brilliant predecessor, Golden Miller, failed to achieve. Top-weight, 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. That the handicapper, Mr G. H. Freer, again put him at the top of the list is a great compliment to this 10-year-old jumper. Royal Danieli, who was only a neck behind Battleship a year ago, had gone up from 11.3 to 11.13. He was just beaten for a little extra speed that day, but he is reported to be much improved and won a couple of races early in the winter. Macauley was not a contestant of last year’s race, but he was already known as a steeplechaser of great promise. For his first National, Macauley was given 12.4, being second on the list to Royal Mail. The form which earned him such distinction was an impressive win a fortnight before at Sandown. This was early in January. In the Prince’s Steeples, of three miles and five furlongs, Macauley carried 12.7 and, although he had not before attempted a distance beyond three miles, he clearly outstayed a good field, in which were seven other National candidates. LAST YEAR’S RUNNERS

Workman, who was third last year, has only 41b more to carry, bringing his weight to 10.6. Colleen and Delachance, who were fourth and fifth respectively in the 1938 contest, have been given the same weights, 11.8 and 10.9. Blue Shirt was seventh and has gone up 11b to 10.4. Under Bid, who finished ninth, has been dropped 21b to 10.0 and Bachelor Prince, tenth, has been eased of 41b and now has 10.2. Drim, who came home in thirteenth place, has been kept at his allotted weight, 10.0, but last March he put up 171 b over-weight, so that represents a considerable concession.

Horses who fell and are again in the race are Airgead Sios, a brilliant jumper, but apparently a non-stayer, Dominick’s Cross, Dunhill Castle, Inversible and Rocquilla. Final acceptances have been taken 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 £lOO, with £3BOO and trophy valued at £2OO added. About four miles and 856 yards.

Royal Mail, lOyrs, 12.7 (D. Morgan). Airgead Sios, 9yrs, 12.1 (T. McNeill). Royal Danieli, Byrs, 11.3 (C. Moore). Dunhill Castle, 9yrs, 11.9 (F. Walwyn). Colleen, llyrs, 11.8 (J. Fawcus). Rocquilla, 9yrs, 11.7 (T. F. Carey). Jovial Judge, 9yrs, 11.4 (A. W. Goodwill) . Brendan’s Cottage, 9yrs, 11.2 (G. Owen). Dominick’s Cross, Byrs, 11.1 (R. Everett). Terne Willow, Byrs, 10.13 (T. F. Rimell). Perfect Part, 9yrs, 10.13 (J. L. Ward). Luckpenny, lOyrs, 10.12 (Major Mosely). Red Hillman, 9yrs, 10.12 (H. Foley). St. George 11, lOyrs, 10.11 (Mr R. Petre). La Touche, 7yrs, 10.9 (R. Burford). Black Hawk, Byrs, 10.8 (J. Moloney). Inversible, 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, Byrs, 10.3 (Mr Stoddard). Kilstar, Byrs, 10.3 (G. W. Archibald). Bachelor Prince, 12yrs, 10.2 (T. Isaac). West Point, 6yrs, 10.2 (Brogan). Deslys, lOyrs, 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, 7yrs, 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. Har dins'!.