THRILLING FINISH

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 934, 29 March 1930, Page 1

THRILLING FINISH

Grand National Steeplechase VICTORY FOR SHAUN GOILIN United P.A. —By Telegraph—Copyright Received 10 a.ru. LON DON, l 1 rida> . THE National Hunt .season was practically concluded toda> when the Grand National Steeplechase was decided on the famous Aintree (Liverpool) course. The race provided a thrilling finish, and a narrow x ictory for Shaun Goilin.

The big event resulted: GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE About 4 miles and 556 yards. Of lOsovs each, oOsovs extra if left in after January 28, an additional 2al sovs if left in after March 11. and 15sovs extra for starters, with 5,000! sovs (including trophy value 200sovs) j added; second. SOOsovs; third. 000 sovs; and fourth. 200sovs: weights | published January 23 at noon; Grand i National course. Closed with 84 entries. SHAUN GOILIN (W. H. Midwood), ch g. by sire unknown, from Golden Ray, lOyrs, 11.7 1 MELLEKAY’S BELLE (Wm. Milson), eh m, by Melleray—Mountain Lily, llyrs, 10.0 • • 2 SIR LINDSAY (J. H. Whitney). 9yrs, 10.6 The great contest provided a magnificent race, Glangesia leading until over half-way in the second round, accompanied by Merrivale, Sandyhook and the well-hacked Grakle. Toward the end of the first circuit Melleray's Belle and Sir Lindsay came up with the leaders, and Shaun Goilin got even with them later. Shaun Goilin and Melleray's Belle jumped the last fence together, a length ahead of their nearest attendant, and a terrific race in the straight saw Shaun Goilin gain a narrow victory by a neck. Sir Lindsay was a length and a-half back third. Glangesia was fourth. Gregalach (last year’s winner) pulled up about half-way through the race, and about 20 fell. Only five completed the course. Shaun Goilin’s astonishing burst of j speed enabled him to outpace the leaders in a desperate finish of punishing over the most difficult steeplechase course in the world. It was run in the unusually fast time of 9.40 3-5, compared with an average of over ten minutes. it provided one of the most exciting Nationals in history, and was also notable because five of the finishers, including Ballynan Wood, were bunched instead of the customary stringing out, but the remainder of the field, most of which had either fallen of refused earlier jumps, fade* out of the picture in the last mile. This is the first time the National has been won by a horse whose sire’s pedigree is unknown, hut the fact that he is Irish bred, coming a long way from Tipperary, caused thousands of Irishmen to favour his chances. The owner, Mr. W. H. Midwood, was formerly champion gentleman rider at Shanghai and Hong-Kong. He is now

a Liverpool stockbroker, and master of the Cheshire hounds.

He never bets, but he told his friends he was confident. It has been his life-long ambition to carry off the National. He has been trying for eight years. He paid 10,500 guineas for Silvio, which was third in 1924. He save much less for Shaun, which changed hands as a two-year-old for 22 guineas. The jockey, Cullinan. an Irish examateur, was engaged to ride Easter Hero, whose lameness put him out of the race until Midwood offered him a mount. He says It was an armchair journey. He knew he could win when the horse dashed forward after taking the last fence. The Americans are disappointed that Sir Lindsay’s magi iflcent race was unsuccessful, and also at the American owned Glangesia dropping back after leading for nearly three-quarters of the course. None of the favourites got into the money. When the last mall left London about six weeks ago. Easter Hero was a hot favourite at less than double figures, and Gregalach was at a shade longer odds. Grakle. Great Span and Shaun Goilin were both at just over a score, and Sir Lindsay was at the figure so-called “about a-third of a century." Melleray's Belle was just short of half a hundred to one. So once again the favourites were well and truly beaten. The winner was trained by the successful Weyhill (Hants) mentor. F. Hartigan, who also entered two other horses. Easterly trained the second horse, while the third was in the stable presided over by J. Anthony, the successful cross-country horseman of a year or two ago. Last year the American sportsman (a millionaire, tool), Mr. J. H. V* hitney, was represented by Easter Hero, who finished second to Gregalach. This time, in addition to Easter Hero, he had Sir Lindsay in the race, and in finishing? third the latter did better than his stable-mate on this occasion. Apparently the possession or a mere few millions is not all important when it comes to owning? the winner cf the English Grand National. Sir Lindsay is apparently a novice ’chaser, for he was nominated for the National Hunt Steeplechase (run a fortnight ago) at Cheltenham), a race confined to non-winners. Lnder the circumstances the American horse d»d remarkably well yesterday. Forty-one horses started in >esterday’s contest, and completed the course. Two years ago only the three placed horses stood up, Tipperary Tim winning at a three-figure price.