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KING GEORGES FIHE STEEPLECHASER. What prospect is there of a royal victory in the Grand National this year? This is a question that is being asked frequently just now, and it is a pleasure to be able to reply that Twelfth Lancer, on which his majestys hopes depend, appears to be possessed of quite a good chance, should he survive the trials and troubles which usually beset an Aintree candidate. Formerly the property of Sir William hden. Twelfth Lancer is the third name in which the son of Actor and Ohana has rejoiced, he having been known previously as Blue Hussar and Martin Harvey. In considering his prospects of victory at Liverpool. I need not go further back than his career as a six-year-old, when, after winning a small steeplechase at Sedgelield, iu County Durhaui, he showed his aptitude as an Aintree horse by winning the Stanley Steeplechase, in which he overtook Dwarf II. after being remounted in consequence of unseating his rider, in time to win by a half length. A further victory an easy one this time awaiteil him in the Irweli Handicap at Manchester Kaster Meeting, and his labors for that season ended at Ilootou Park, where, however, with odds of 5 to 2 laid on him, he was only third of four to Simonot and Lara. In the autumn of 1012 Twelfth Lancer was a competitor for the Park Handicap Steeplechase at San-down and although he was again defeated he accounted for everything except Bedgrove, to whica he had to concede eight itounds. He did not appear again until the following February, when he finished a creditable third to Circassians Pride and Abbotts Choice for a three mile event at Hurst Park, while after showing up prominently for a long way, he rau sixth to Irish Mail for the valuable Lancashire Steeplechase at Manchester. Then, however, came another successful essay at Liverpool, and his victory over Abltotts Choice. Lord Rivers and others iu the Champion .Steeplechase last April was a most encouraging performance from the point of view of prospective Grand National honors, as the gelding appeared never to put a foot wrong and finally won easily by a half dozen lengths. Only once since then has Twelfth Lancer appeared in public, this occurring shortly afterwards in the Criterion Handicap Steeplechase at Sandown Park, which he won by a couple of lengths from Kugcnist, Abltotts Choice and a useful field. On the latter occasion he was ridden by Ivor Anthony in place of his regular jockey, Hume, who Is attached to the Royston stable, in which his majestys horse is trained, and with whom Twelfth Lancer has always got on very well indeed. Under Air. Percy Whitakers skilful guidance the gelding will be given a thorough preparation, and as he has, as I have shown In the foregoing comments, twice demonstrated his ability to jump portions of the Liverpool country, it appears to be only a question of his staying the longer journey over which the race is decided, for him to niake a very bold bid for victory on March 27. AVhat ii scene there will be should he win I can safely leave to the imagination of my readers and I sincerely hope that those present on the day will be afforded so agreeable an opportunity of giving vent to their expressions of loyalty. "Augur" in London Sitort-ing Life.
