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JOHN M. P., DESERT CHIEF AND PHIL MAY. Former Retains His Best English Form While the Others Have Not Shown Up Well. Three steeplechasers that were prominent candidates for the Grand National Steeplechase at Liverpool, England, last spring, have since been imported to this country and all have started. John M. P., Desert Chief and Phil May compose the trio. They were admittedly in the front rank- of Brithdi "timber-toppers and the experiment of importing such horses to race against the best American bred jumpers has been scanned with great interest by admirers of across country racing. It has long been assumed that English bred jumpers outclass our own, but It has been merely guesswork without proof. Phil May and Desert Chief have fenced and run well so far, but have failed to win. John M. P. won the Inaugural Steeplechase at Sheepshead Bay last Saturday. It was his debut in this country and it must be said that his performance was quite conclusive as to the horses that stood up aud finished behind him. It was not conclusive as to his two best antagonists, Delcanta and Balzac, both of which fell. One thing be established and that is that he retains the brilliant speed that characterized his performances In England.. This is satisfactory because it guarantees that when he meets our best steeplechasers it will be in form as good as the best he displaved over English courses. John M. P., is by Britannic son of Zealot, out of Guiding Star, by Glen Arthur, she out of Star of the North, by Breadalbane. He was bred bv J. M. Purdon aud was foaled a bay colt iu 1899. "lie was altered as a yearling and was not raced until his four-year-old form In 1903, when, as the property of J. S. Morrison, he was once second, once third "and once unplaced, the three races having been run on the flat. Ills first start was at the Lingfield Park second Spring meeting, June 9, when he was unplaced for the Club Welter Plate at two miles. Next he was second to Maisie II., for the Club Open Long Welter Race at the Lewes summer meeting August 7. His third and last start for that year was for the Sutton Plate at the Gatwlck August meeting August 30, when he finished third, the race being won by Sir S. Scotts Series a neck in front of the late William C. Whitneys White Webbs, which was six lengths in front of John M. P. Three starts on the flat in 1904 was the extent of John M. P.s occupation as a five-year-old. His first start was for the Stanley Plate at the Keinpton Park October meeting, October S. when he finished third, beaten a length and a neck. Then came his first triumph. It was for the Croome Plate at the Worcester Autumn meeting October 14. He won by a neck at the end of the mile and a half. His weight was 123 pounds. Then he finished third for the Cliff Plate, one mile and a half at the Folkestone October meeting. Saturday, October 29. In 1905 John M. P. was not raced. He spent the year schooling for steeplechasing under the direction of II . Nugent. He made his first start over the timbers at Windsor, January 5, of this year, winning the Eton Hurdle Handicap at two miles. He carried 175 pounds and the going was heavy. Following this he scored four straight wins in steeplechases. They were the Coventry Handicap Chase at Kemp-ton Park, Saturday, February 3, in which lie carried 170 pounds over the two miles course and beat Comfit ten lengths; the Open Chase at Hurst Park on February 10, in heavy going, when he carried 154 pounds and beat Desert Chief, Ills present stable companion, likewise carrying 154 pounds, thirty lengths over the three mile course iu 0:1S; the Liverpool Trial Chase at Sandown Park, March 1. when he beat Wolfs Folly a length and a half over the three and one-lialf miles course in 7:475, carrying 154 pounds; the open Chase at Hurst Park, March 10, when he lieat Shaun Aboo twenty lengths over the three-mile course, carrying 171 pounds. Then came his defeat in the Grand National Steeplechase Handicap over the Alutree Course of four miles and 850 yards at Liverpool March 30. His weight for this race was 104 pounds and he was the favorite at 31 to 1. He was going well forward when he slipped under the guard rails at. the canal turn and was out of it. The race was won by Ascetics Silver and Phil May, which was brought over last spring by ".Mr. Cotton." finished eighth after falling at the last fence. John M. P.s next and last start in England was in the Champion Chase of three miles at Liverpool March 31, the day following the Grand National. In this race he blundered aud finished fifth. He carried 172 pounds, the top weight. Here is a recapitulation of John M. P.s performances abroad: Year. Age Sts. 1st. 2d. 3d. Unp. 1903 4 a O 1 1 1 1901 5 3 1 1 1 O 1005 0 0 0 0 0 0 1900 7 7 5 0 0 2 Desert Chief, which has bei unplaced in both his starts in this country, is eight years old. He is by Spahl. out of Genista, by Exmlnster. Before Mr. Browne brought him to America, he started In three races in England, the last being his second to John M. P. mentioned above. The others were both victories, the Nottinghamshire Steeplechase of two miles, in which he carried ISO pounds, and the Grand Annual Handicap Steeplechase of two miles at Birmingham, in which his weight was also 180 pounds. In lSM."i he started eight times, winning five, finishing second once and unplaced twice. Ills two winning races of this year were better in every respect than any race he ran the previous year.
