GRAND NATIONAL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 152, 23 March 1939, Page 16

GRAND NATIONAL

Tomorrow’s Big Race LARGE FIELD LIKELY Royal Danieli Probable Favourite The contest for the world’s greatest steeplechase, the Liverpool Grand National, of £3BOO. about four miles and 856 yards, will take place at Ain tree tomorrow. Final acceptors were taken last week, and it was expected that there would be 40 starters, as follows, the riders being shown in. parentheses: — Royal Mail, lOyrs., 12.7 (D. Morgan) Airgead Sius, 9yrs.. 12.1 (T. McNeill). Royal Danieli, Syrs., 11.3 (C. Moor«). Dunhill Castle, Oyrs., 11.9 (11. Malwyn). Colleen. ll£rs., 11.8 (J. Fawcus). Rocquilla, Oyrs., 11.7 (T. F. Carey). Jovial Judge, 9yrs.. 11.4 (A. Goodwill). Brendan's Cottage. Oyrs., 11.2 (G. Owen). Dominick’s Cross, Syrs., 11.1 (R. Everett) Terne Willow, Syrs., 10.13 (T. Rimell). Perfect Part, 9yrs., 10.13 (J. Ward). Luckpenny, lOyrs., 10.12 (Major MoseRed Hillman. Oyrs., 10.12 (H. Foley) St. Qi'orge 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). AVar Vessel. 6yrs., 10.7 (11. Morgan). Workman, Syrs., 10.6 (J. Hyde). Red Freeman, Syrs., 10.5 (W. Redmond). Second Aet, Syrs., 10.5 (Dowdeswell). Blue Shirt. Syrs., 10.4 (R. Smyth). Marconi, 7yrs„ 10.4 (Mr. A. P. Parker). Montrejeau 11, 9yrs., 10.4 (H. Nicholson) Maemoffatt, 7yrs., 10.-3 (I. Alder). Milano, Byrs., 10.3 (Mr. Stoddard). Kilstar, Syrs.. 10.3 (G. 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, Syrs., 10.0 (T. Elder). Downright, lOyrs., 10.0 (Mr. J. Seely). Birthgift, Syrs-, 10.0 (J. Bissill). Tuckmill, 9yrs., 10.0 (Mr. R. Black). Lucky Patch, 9yrs., 10.0 (E. Piggot). Symaethis, 7yrs., 10.0 QL Freekes). Dritn, 12yrs„ 10.0 (Mr. J. Morris). Pencraik, 12yrs., 10.0 (Mr. J. H. Gordon) Mesmerist, Syrs,, 10.0 (Captain R. Harding). Field Well Maintained. When first acceptances for the Grand National were taken six weeks ago, 53 of the 69 nominated had their engagement continued, including all the most important jumpers. English critics seemed to be agreed, according to the files to hand, that the 1939 Grand National pros-

peccs could be narrowed down to small compass, the favourites being Macaulay and Royal Danieli. However, Macaulay, from latest advices, is a doubtful starter. America’s Representative. Hast year's -winner, the Americanbred and owned Battleship, 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. Improved Candidate. 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 j. 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-yenr-old jumper. Royal Danieli. who was only a neck behind Battleship a year ago, has gone up from (Continued at foot of next column.)

11.3 to 11.13. He was just beateu for a little extra speed that day, but is reported to be much improved, and won a couple of races early in the winter. Macaulay was not a contestant of last year’s race, but was already known as a steeblechaser of great promise. For his first National. Macaulay was given 12.4, being second on the list Io 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, Macaulay carried 12.7, and. though 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 Dclachanee. who were fourth and fifth respectively in the 1938 contest, have been given the same weights, 11.8 and IO.!’. Blue Shirt was seventh, and has gone up lib, 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. overweight, so that represents a considerable concession. Horses who fell and arc again in the race are Airgoad Sins, a brilliant jumper, but appareidly a lion-stayer, Dominick's Cross, Dunhill Castle. Inversible and Roequilla.