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T0P-N0TCHER AMONG STEEPLECHASERS. Remarkable Achievements of One of the Most Famous Grand National Winners. There may be differences of opinion as to which was the best steeplechaser of comparatively modern times, but that Cloister was one of the best admits of no question. Cloister was bred in It-land by Lord Fingal in 1S84. and was a son of Ascctii — Grace II. Like many another fencer destined to become famous. Cloister began in a modest way. He made his first appearance at Fairyhouse. where as a four-year-old. and ridden by his then owner. Captain .1. A. Orr-Ewing. he won the Hunt dial lenge Cup. A little later he won a military race ai Punchestown. He made his ae-iuaintance with the Liverpool country, over which his greatest triumphs were Subsequently recorded, in November of the same year, and he proved his ability by winning the Aintree Hunt Steeplechase, being ridden on this occasion by W. Niglitingall. the present-day Epsom trainer. He participated in seven racs in the following year, winning four of them. lie commenced his third, year by winning a Ladies Plate on the flat at Sandown Park, while on the same track some weeks later he easily won the Open Hunters Chase. He. however, fatted to distinguish himself in the iraud Military iohi Cup. in which he carried 190 pounds, the spoils going to Lord Annalys Lady Sarah, which was in receipt of forty -nine pounds. He then finished third to Weather a Iteh and Innisfail in the Mammoth Hunters* Steeplechase at the Sandown Park April meeting, while he met with another defeat in a race at Ludlow. Cloister was not seen out again until the autumn, when he took part in the Valentine Steeplechase. In this he came to grief, the race being won by Come Away, Billy Taylor being second, and The Saint third. Previous to the race last named. Cloister had passed into the possession of Lord Dudley. The son of Ascetic made his first appearance in 1891. in the January Hunt Cup Chase at Dans tall Park, odds being laid on him, but he distinguished himself by bolting. He was in more businesslike mood at Manchester the following month, however. and ridden by Captain "Baddy" Owen he easily defeated his five opponents in a hunters steeplechase. His First "National." Following this he took part in his first "National," in which he carried 101 pounds, and was again ridden by Captain Owen. Come Away, the mount of Harry Beasley, was favorite, at 4 to 1 against. Cloister being a 20 to 1 order. The latter made a gallant effort to win at the first attempt, but was beaten by a half length by Come Away, with the winner of the preceding year. Hi x. a bad third. There was an objection to the winner 011 the ground of a jostle, but this was overruled. Before 1. Inter ran in the Metropolitan Handicap at Gatwiesj in December, In Which he finished second to The Primate, he had been M quired by Mr. Duff. who. in later years, became better known as Sir Charles Assheton Smith. Cloister commenced the seasaa of 1808 with a couide of victories in minor races at the Windsor February meetings, after which he was reserve!! for his second hand National. On this occasion he carried 171 pounds, and was giving weight to all save Ilex. Once more he had to put up with second place. Father OFlynn winning easily by twenty lengths, with Ilex, as in the previous year. again third. Somewhat curiously Father OFlynn was ridden by Captain Owen. who. as noted above, had been on the back of Cloister a twelve months earlier. The horse failed in the I.iagfield Grand National later in the month; but his three remaining efforts that season were attended by success. He won the Croat Staffordshire Chase at Wolverhampton by a distance; won the Tarporley Open Chase by ten lengths, and easily "neat Ar.lcarn. Warren Hastings and several others in the Great Sefton Steeplechase at Liverpool, in which race he carried 175 pounds. His next essay was also over the Aintree course, with which he was by this time becoming familiar. This was on the occasion of his third attempt in the "National" in the following spring. In spite of-the fact that he was handicapped at 175 pounds, a weight never previously carried with success. Cloister was favorite at 9 to 2 against. That the confidence of his supporters was not misplaced was proved by the result, the top-weight, ridden by Dollery, winning in a canter by the convincing distance of forty lengths from Aesop, with Why Not third. Moreover, the winner put up a record for the course — 9:42-., — which held good until Ascetics Silver came along fourteen years later and knocked off several seconds. A Surprise for Eackers. When Cloister next turned out. in a weight-forage steeplechase over three and a half miles of the Sandown Park course, it was not surprising that big odds were demanded from those desirous of backing him to beat Horizon and Cheroot, his only opponents. To the surprise of everybody, however, the chaser of the moment was well trounced by the four-year-old Horizon, the margin being fifteen lengths. The horse ran no more that year, but when wagering opened on the Grand National of 1S94, the record-breaker of the previous year soon became a good favorite. He did not. however, face the starter. A few days before the race the market suddenly became hostile towards him. and though he regained favor to some degree his name appeared among the scratchings shortly before the gnat day. It transpired later that the horse was lame. He was right again by the autumn, when he recorded one of the best performances of his career by winning the "Sefton" for the second time with no less than 1S5 panada in the saddle. His nearest attendant, tw.-nty lengths away. vas The Mid-shipmite. while others in the field were Fanatic. Which finished third. Arilcarn and Ballyohara. At this time Cloister was under the care of Harry Kscott. and it was the Lewes rider-trainer who rob- him in the race in question. loistor was once more an early favorite for the Grand National of 1895. although he was set to carry 188 pounds, but the fates were again against him. Early in the week of the race he was exercising on the Downs at Lewes, and at the end of a hard gallop of two and a half miles fell heavily upon being pulled up. In the night he was lame, and there was nothing for it but to withdraw him from the Liverpool race, and he did not run that year. He competed in a couple of races at Cardiff and Ludlow respectively the following season, both of which he won. and this brought his racing career to a close.— "J. F. P." in London Sporting Life.
