view raw text
GRAND NATIONAL DETAILS ■ This Years Running Took Place Under Unusually Good Conditions. — » Use of Starting Gate for First Time Proves Great Assistance in Dispatching Field. 1 BY E. E. COUSSELL. LONDON, Eng., March 28.— The weather conditions for the Grand National were magnificent ; the perfect light and glorious sunshine with the keenest wind were in marked contrast to the usual murk, gloom, or snow which is so often associated with the running of the great steeplechase. The victory of Double Chance was one of the most popular in the history of the race. Further the successful jockey was an amateur. Major Wilson, who was riding over the course for the second time in his life. There was an enormous crowd at Liverpool, including many American visitors. The range of public stands was totally inadequate to accommodate the tens of thousands of onlookers. They witnessed a thrilling race. Thirty-three horses started ; nine completed the Grand National course. The winner belongs to a Liverpool cotton broker ; naturally his being a local man would account to some extent for the wonderful reception accorded to Double Chance and his rider when they returned to the paddock. It was a notable triumph. Naturally Archer, the owner and trainer of Double Chance, who leased him to Mr. Goold, must also be given a share, for Archer has never made any secrecy of his belief that Double Chance was likely to be the winner of the Grand National. He considers Double Chance the fastest chaser in training. The only thing against him was the fact that Double Chance was making his first appearance at Liverpool, and it is something of a record to win the "National" under such conditions. START PERFECT. The start was a perfect one because for the first time in the history of the Grand National the starting gate was used. At the canal turn Ardeen jumped sideways, right I I into the fence ; thereupon Winnall swerved away from it and in doing so caused Sergeant Murphy to crash into the wing. The Sergeant fell on the other side. Mr. J. W. Corrigans horse James Pigg also was stuck across the fence and here he remained until he was assisted out some time later. At Valentines Brook, Double Chance led by a small margin, with Drifter and Silvo following. Silvo was top weight with 175 pounds. Double Chance was still leading when the field approached Bechers Brook the second time round. He still had only a slight lead over Silvo, Sprig 156 pounds. Fly Mask 1C6 pounds. Drifter 143 pounds. Music Hall 160 pounds, and Old Tay Bridge 166 pounds. Thereabouts Fly Mask made rather a bad mistake which somewhat disturbed him. Between the last two fences it could be seen that Fly Mask had sufficiently recovered to be much alive as were Old Tay Bridge, j j Silvo and Double Chance. Over the final fence Old Tay Bridge looked a fairly certain I | winner and many of his supporters were just I beginning to cheer when suddenly Double Chance apeared to develop an extraordinary turn of speed, considering his severe ordeal. Old Tay Bridges rider was not to be taken by surprise as ho glanced over his shoulder to note his oncoming rival. Old Tay Bridge could not pull out any more and was unable to hold Double Chance in the hist furlong. A comparatively fresh horse, Double Chance went on to win gallantly by four lengths with the tired Fly Mask a further six lengths away, third. But for a couple of mistakes which he made in running, Doyle I I j j I | I who rode Fly Mask is of the opinion he might have been much nearer. He was always in the front rank, but could not quite last until the end. Silvo, which finished fifth, was beaten by the weight he carried. He jumped beautifully all the way, but in the last half-mile his great weight told the inevitable tale. Sprig made a remarkable showing, as not a fortnight ago, the gelding was receiving veterinary treatment. But for being claimed for Sprig, Tom Leader would have ridden the winner. He was offered a fee of ,500, plus a present of 0,000 if he won the race. He could not accept because his father trains Sprig, whose owner wished him to ride that horse. Sprig is comparatively young and perhaps he will have another opportunity. All the same it was bad luck for leader. Old Drifter was always more or less with the leaders, but in the last mile he began to drop back. Mr. Stephen Sanfords gelding seems to have gained in speed, but deteriorated in stamina. The time, 9 :42%, was nothing like so good as the record of 9:34% held by Ascetics Silver, which carried 149 pounds, the same weight as that put up by Double Chance. Major Wilson, who rode Double Chance, was a cavalry officer in the war. He transferred to the air force. He had a bad crash which has left permanent consequences in his white hair. At the beginning of March he broke his collar bone when riding Little Jim II. in the National Hunt Steeplechase of four miles, for maidens, at Cheltenham. No one could have ridden better or with more enterprise than he rode Double Chance at Liverpool. After the race he described Double Chance as having given him a good ride and added "although his display was not altogether free from fault, my horse was never in danger of going down." Major Wilson started riding about eighteen months before the war. He took up training after the war and since then he has done a fair amount of riding. The first and only time before he rode in the Grand National was in 1923 when his mount was Trentino ; the latter horse finished behind Sergeant Murphy. Trentino did get the course. Last year Fly Mask was second, ridden by Moyland. who until five days before the Grand National was in hospital. In 1924, Old Tay Bridge was leading his field when he fell at the last fence. His rider, the amateur, H. M. Hartigan, sustained concussion, from which he has not yet really recovered.
