GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5990, 27 July 1887, Page 3

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE.

This Morning's Training.

Description of the Course.

To-morrow afternoon the twelfth annual meeting of the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase Club will be held at Riccarton. We have already dealt with the work done "b^ the various horses engaged in tho principal event during the past week, and the gallops this morning were of very little importance. Mangahone moved no better than already reported, but most of the others got through easy work in good style. The preparation of the course was completed yesterday ; .and although it is similar to the one employed last year, a brief description will not be out of place. In the Grand National the horses will start just outside the mile post, and the first obstacle will be a 2ft Gin rail, strongly bushed to oft with gorae. This is followed by a double, the first fence 3ft 6in rails, with sft 6in ditch in front, and the second 3ft 9in rails. At the turn there is a formidable sod wall, 4ft high, and 3ft 6in across the top, with a 3ft ditch in front. Having negotiated this, the field will pass through an opening in the rails and jump a 3ft 6in wall with a oft ditch, and a little further on a 3ft 6in wall without ditch. Opposite the stand a double— 4ft 3in rails and 3ft 6in hurdles, will require some jumping, and then those that have survived so far will again cross the grasstrackandencounter " Cutts' " fence, a4f fc ditch and 3ft Gin rails, one of the most awkward jumps in the whole line. The next obstacle, a 4ft wall, 3ft across the top, will bring the horses to the starting point, and they will require to make another circuit and finish at the stand before completing the four miles set them in the National. The minor events, excepting, of course, the Hunters' Hurdle Race, will be run over the same country, and it only remains to be said that the fences are well and fairly built, and the going remarkably sound and good.

The following may be thp starters and riders in the Grand National Steeplechase : —

stlb Jockey,

Moody, by Marmion — Beeswing? ... 12 7 Dunn. ♦Bordorman, by BounieCarlißle—M&Uel 13 1 Allan, •Orient, by Sultan— Socrates ruara ... 12 1 H'Conkey. Fangh-a-Ballaffh, by Dainty Ariel colt— Pacific mare . ... 11 IS T. tyfoid. Mangahone, by Pohukura—Black Bess 11 11 Redmond. Chanco, by Castaway 11 5 Kingan. •Secretary, by Tekoa 11 4 W. Sutler. King Arthur, by A ntero b — Lady Eaveiißwortb .., 11 3 Crook. Linwood, by Cassivelaunus 10 9Mr G. Murray-Aynsley. Mainraoc, by Periin Warbeck— Ruby ... 10 7 P. Higgins, "Medico, pedigree unknown 10 4 Stewart. Sultan, by Knottingly—li b more... 10 2 Worner. Ben ti 10 U Romeo, by Southern • Chief — Riddlesworth mare ... 10 0 Newman, Brodonhill, by Kauri 9 12 O'Connor. Master Guy. by Guy jyPawkea— Bnmetto 9 5 M'Guinness. 'Doubtful starters. Without discussingthepastperformances and present form of the various candidates, we shall select Bloody, Faugh-a-Ballagh, and Romeo to provide the -winner, and in an attempt to place this trio shall venture : — Fattgh-a-Ballagh l Moody ... 2 Romeo 3 Master Guy and Sultan are the beat of the outsiders, and if the latter should take his fences kindly he will win. The Maiden Steeplechase may fall to Irish King, and Premier looks best in the Hunters' Hurdle Race.