SPORTING NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 325, 18 May 1897, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS.

[By Gipsy Grand.] Cyrus II died at Castlepoint a few days ago from inflammation of the bowels. Kelclier, the Riccarton jockey, had his leg frightfully lacerated through his mount (Saladin) coming into collision with the rails at Asliburton. Writing under date April '2 the London correspondent of the ' Lyttelton Times says : —" The two Antipodean competitors in the Grand National Steeplechase decided at Aintree on Friday afternoon last can hardly be said to have covered themselves with glory. Indeed, neither performed up to the expectations of his friends. Daimio, whose heavy burden of 12st 61b rendered his chance of victory hopeless, was well beaten ere two-thirds of the course had been negotiated. Norton, who was well backed by his owner at 10 o 1 just prior to the contest, run well enough until he blundered and unshipped Hiekey at the fence preceding Valentine's Brook the second time round. Mr Grollan's 'chaser, however, quickly recovered himself, and went on riderless to make the pace for the field that was thundering behind. Norton covered the entire course as correctly as if he had a strong rider on his back, and the manner in which he cleared the obstacles made people wonder what his chances would have been if Hickey had managed to keep his seat. I believe that Mr Dyas, the owner of the ultimate winner tMaajjfesto'), expressed himself as fearing onkffNorton, and he must have been very glad to see the New Zealand 'chaser " out of it" so early in the race. On the score of looks alone, Mr Gollan's representative was the pick of the field, and great credit is due to Escott for having brought his charge to the post in such grand condition. Daimio looked well, but evidently requires more time in the Old Country before lie can do justice to his great antipodean reputation."