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GREATEST STEEPLECHASE OF ALL LANDS. i 1 Horses and Incidents Conspicuous in the Record of , the Liverpool Grand National. Were it possible to canvass the general body of Hmm who lake an Interest in racing. ■ greater ! number th;in might be supposed would probably be found to give preference to cross-country sport to that on the flat, despite the fact that jumping takes place for a considerable period in weather that is at the best uncertain and often inclement. It is, of course, not actively participated in by so large a body as follow the fortunes of racing under Jockey Club rules, but interest may be just as keen 0knnd genuine in the MM case as in the other, and "T Mt can safely be said that it culminates in connection with the Grand National. In every respect that steeplechase is the greatest and most important in the world. The course over which it is decided lias no equal for trying the capabilities of the best of chasers, and to have won the big race at Liverpool in almost any circumstances is evidence of the ]«sscssion of the gift of staying and jumping ability. Like the Derby, the winning of it is a much coveted distinction, and horses have been, at various times, sent from the antipodes, from America and from France to compete in it — to say nothing of Ireland, which country has played quite a distinguished part in its history. Going for its institution as far back as 1839 — though it was not until 1S43 that it became a handicap — the race has a record as long as most, and. like those of old establishment, has experienced vicissitudes in various directions. The distance was slightly altered at one time, without, however, detracting from its value as a high steeplechasing test. and. though occasionally a horse of comparatively moderate class has been successful, its list of winners shows a fine array of great cross-country performers, many of which were the property of well-known staunch upholders of the sport. As in the question of the best thoroughbred the British turf has ever produced, or as to the order of merit of the winners of the "triple crown." the point occasionally raised as to the beet winner of the Grand National is not susceptible or* positive solution. There have been extra good ones at various periods, and some of them won twice, but it may be taken for granted that not many have been better than Cloister, whoso victory in ls.93 was a most brilliant affair. lie won by no less than forty lengths under 175 pounds, thereby establishing a record that has not been beaten, though it was subsequently equalled by Manifesto and Jerry M. lie would in all probability have won again under the same weight in 1894, but caught a chill a little while before the race and did not see the post, though as little as C to 4 — surely the shortest price ever quoted for a "National" horse — had been taken about him. Allotted 185 pounds the following year, he broke down badly, being again unable to run. and the course over which he had won and been second to Gome Away in 1891 and to Father OKlynn in 1892 knew him no more, for he was turned out of training, and eventually shot in 1913. Cloisters owner, though then racing as "Mr. C. G. Duff." was. as is now well known, the late Sir C. Assheton-Smith. a lavish patron of steeple - basing, who spared no expense in the purchase of likely horses for jumping and among others he bought was Jerry M. By a curious coincidence he was destined to bring to his owner the Cross-Country Blue Kiband for the second time — after he had for a period retired from the sport — and. like Cloister. Jerry M. was also the victim of circumstances. A successful five-year-old career pointed to Aintree possibilities, but ho was easily beaten for the Grand National of 1910. and the following year had 170 1 pounds in the handicap. To the general disappointment he was ■track out eleven days before the race and it was left for 1912 to see him pass the post first. This he did with 175 pounds up. and though he did not win by such a wide margin as Cloister the performance was enough to stamp him as a ehaeer of the best class. That wis Lis last appearance on the race course, for the next year, when handicapped at 178 pounds, he did not accept, and the race went to his stable companion. Covert Coat. Jerry M. can fairly be ranked among the top-sawyers, for in addition to his fine record in this country, he had successes to his credit in France. . Manifesto, the other horse to win the National Mh with 175 pounds up. was one of the most popular I y of cross-countrty performers and stands on an even * higher pedestal than Cloister and Jerry M. by vir-tue of having scored twice. His record in connection with the Grand National is unique and whenever he ran he never failed of public support. lie seemed to make the course his own and competed in the great steeplechase on no fewer than eight occasions — a performance not equalled by any ether winner or loser of the race. On his first essay, in 18M, he was fourth carrying 150 pounds to Wild Man from Bene*; fell in UN; won under 157 pounds in 1997, being then nine years old: won again in 1S99 with 175 pounds in the saddle ; was third weigiit 181 pounds to Ambush II. in UN; third 1 170 pounds to Shannon Lass in 1902: third 171 pounds I to Drumeree in 1903; and ninth 109 pounds to Moiffaa in 1904. In the course of his racing service, which extended over twelve years, he won eight events and lost twenty -seven, last ran at Liverpool in the Valentine Steeplechase in Novem-l er. 1904. and died, when seventeen years old. the following year. His was a truly remarkable and. it may be added, honorable career, and one not excelled by any chaser. The only other horses to win the race twice were • The Colonel and The Lamb, of which the former was successful in 1S09 and 1870 and The Lamb in 1 IMS and 1871. The Lamb, though a somewhat t small horse, was little and good, and the pair • can be bracketed as among the best in the gallery of Grand National winners, though in the matter of r weight carried neither approaches the 175 pounds of I Cloister, Manifesto and Jerry M. No inconsiderable ■ proportion of the winners of the race have hailed 1 from the Bwrrahl Isle, and they have often beta 1 ridden by Irish horseni-n. Among them are The • Lamb. Liberator. Km press. Woodbrook, Seaman, . Cease Away. Cloister. Wild Man from Borneo. Manifesto, Drogheda, Ambush II.. Draaaeree end Jerry M., and not many of them brought ■rare Joy to the • hearts of the Irishmen than did Wild .Man from 1 Borneo in 1S95. The shout that went up from 1 Aintree when lie passed the post first could almost t have been heard on the ether side of St. Georges i channel, and tiie jubilation was the greatest from . the fact that lie was steered by a popular rider p in Mr. "Joe" Widger. The Loyal Peaee has been 1 once concerned with victory in the "National." and 1 its records are ma de illustrious by that of Ambush 1 II. in 1900. It will be remembered that our late ■ king. Kdward VII. then Irince of Wales, honored 1 witii his patronage cross-country sport as well as I that on the flat, and an attmept had Icon made with Magic to win the Grand National under the . royal colors the previous year. But he gave a poor r Show, and when the situation was redeemed by Ambush - II.. the enthusiasm on the course knew no , bounds, and the scene will never be forgotten by those . who witnessed it. Allusion is made above to tie Ir; ■-queney - with which Manifesto competed for the l • ■rand National, but he is run very close by Frigate, . which took part in the race on seven ocea-si. . as. The mare raa five times before she secured 1 the judges verdict in 1880, having, as a six-year-old. been soi 1 to Voluptuary in 1884. second 1 to Roquefort in lss,-,. fell in 1880. was unplaced in , 1887, ,.1Mi jn lss xv.,s second to llayfair, after r mi ting with bad luck in the contest, ami being . carried out of the course through the swerving of f one of the competitors. Thus it was a case of per-sereraace . rewarded, and her success was the more ,. appreciated since she was well backed when she e Villi. Though at one time the great race was spefl to fear-year elds, a bone of that age has not run .. for it since lss;. when Terrier was in the field, and most of tin- winners have been of considerable maturity, the oldest to win being Why Not. wlio was thirteen years old in 1894, the ■ ansa .. of his success. Tlie five-year-olds to earn brackets are Regal 1876, Austerlita 1S77I. ITwpnss 1880, and I.utteiir III. IMS. The best of this band ,1 was doubtless tii" last named, which had a brilliant career in France, and won in Irreproach-table style at the first time of going over the ,. course, much of the i ."edit of his victory being ,. due to the skilful handling of his jockey, Far . freieent. who, like his mount, was making a first t acquaintance with the trying Aintree track. Lilt tear in.. i the only French-bred horse to win „ • the race, though others had made the attempt , BCerleasly, and as his owner. M. James Ileimessy. js one of tie- most liberal patrons of cross-country h|M»rt in France, and he had many backers on this Bats of the Channel, the triumph was a popular r one. The bou of St. JJuwien again" tried his luck fc i 1 , ! in the race in 1911, and was well backed with 171 pounds up, but he was one of a field of twenty- " six of which only four finished, and he was not * one of the fonr. The race was a chapter of accidents, and Glenside won by twenty lengths. Cross-country sport does not, unfortunately, in these days enjoy the active support of so many influential patrons of racing as was once the case. bat the honored name of Lord Coventry is still t associated with it. Many present-time race goers a were not born when he won the Grand National with -the sisters. Emblem and Emblematic, so far back as 1803 and 1804. and since that period his colors 4 have been carried by some good horses. He had a -promising jumper in Chimney Sweep just after the time of Emblematic, which was much fancied for the Grand National won by The Lamb in 1808. He ~ started favorite, but fell, broke his leg and was de- 5 stroyed. In recent years his lordship owned a prom- ising cross-country performer named Belus. of which * much was hoped, but he proved a failure when ! asked to stay and did nothing of any great note, j It is almost too much to expect that another Em- ] blem or Emblematic will be found to carry the 5 "brown, blue cap," but. were it so to happen, it would be a fitting pendant to distinctions that came in earlier years. — London Sportsman.
