THE STEEPLECHASE COURSE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 280, 15 August 1918, Page 7

THE STEEPLECHASE COURSE

Btarttnc at the top of the straight the competitors in the Grand National Steeplechase have to complcto a little over two circuits, which works out at, about threo miles alld a half. Tho tot' obstacla encountered is a brush fence lit tho western end of tho carriage paddock. This is 4ft. Bin. hifth, and is the only one that Jiaa to bo crossed threo times before tho winning-post is reached. Next comes the stand double, two brushed hurdles, standiiiK ahout 4ft. each. Then comes tho famous "Cutts'e" jump, an obstacle that has caused more accidents than any other jump during; the jounioy, though it in not a. formidable one, "Oultn's" consists of a thick manuka fence, 4ft. Win. high, and it 1b probably a alight rise in tho approach that ban earned it such a had name. Number 5 jump is a sod wall, 411.. in height, with a iff. ditch on the takeoff Hide. Then follows tno post-and-rn.ils. with a 3ft. ditch at the approach. Th* nest obstacle is known an the "kennels double," the first ot which U a brushed post-anrl-rnil, 4ft. 3in. in height, with a 4ft. ditch in front of it, while thu second is of similar proportions. Tho ninth jump iB a sod wall, '.ft. lilrli, and of . crmal breadth, with a 3ft. ditch In front. Then cornea a 4ft. lOin. brush fence, very similar to "Cutty's", which completes tho course. Altogether, twenty-one obstacles have to bo negotiated in the course of a. full National journey, which can be said to bo <i thoroiiL'h teßt, not only of jumpin!; ability, but also of stamina.