GRAND NATIONAL THRILLS

ONLY EIGHT SURVIVORS.

VICTORY OF MASTER ROBERT.

Eight horses out of thirty starters completed the four and a half miles of the Grand National Steeplechase yesterday, and the hot favourite, Conjuror II., did not win. Victory went to Master Robert, a strong, raking type of chaser, owned in partnership by Lord Airlie and Major Sidney Green. Second, beaten four lengths, was Conjuror II.’S stable-companion, Fly Mask, and third, three lengths behind the second, was the heavily-backed Silvo. It would he absurd to suggest that the success was as immensely popular as that of Conjuror II. would have been, but many would rejoice that the horse is in such admirable ownership, and that this crowning triumph comes after a career which had small beginnings, and has gone through every phase of a hunter’s and steeplechaser’s life.

The day was cold and dull, and though the light was not good it was ever so much better than a year ago, when more than half the course was lost in mist. The general attendance seemed as huge as ever so immense is the attraction of the premier steeplechase. Long before the race was due to be decided the roofs of the stands and all other improvised observation posts were occupied to their utmost limit. His Majesty, with the Earl and Countess of Derby, arrived shortly before the first race, and saw the first two races from their usual places in Lord Derby’s box. For the Grand National, however, his Majesty expressed a wish to occupy the crow’s-nest stand, which a year ago was expressly erected overlooking Valentine’s Brook for the Prince of Wales. It affords a magnificent view of by far the most interesting part of the course, where there is crowded in all the most dramatic incident and vivid colour. Lord Derby did not accompany the King when he left by car for a point which gave access to the stand from the road. It was the writer’s privilege to be included in the party. His Majesty and the small party crossed a field, and were ferried over the canal, in the vicinity of which some thousands of people were gathered. They gave a most cordial greeting to his Majesty, who showed his consideration for their comfort by suggesting to the police that they might encroach on to the preserved space in front of the stand. The permission was vastly appreciated.

FATE OF CONJUROR II.

We could make out from that distant point the horses at the starting-post, and apparently the starter had some difficulty in getting them behind the proper post, as there was delay and more than one breakaway. There was not a single fall at the first fence. It was soon after this that the unrivalled view from this crow’s nest was revealed, for as they drew nearer every move could he identified. For instance Conjuror II. was a long way down the line, which was headed by Silvo and Fly Mask as they charged at Becher’s for the first time. Those two landed well, and so also did Eureka II., Sergeant Murphy, Old Tay Bridge, Winnall, and Arravale. Others, too, safely crossed the big fence, but though Conjuror II. appeared to take off all right, he never rose on landing. The horse that had never fallen, a record of which his owner had been so proud, was really down this time. It is tragic when one sees a Grand National favourite go down, for it means that his exit has been definitely and finally made. The horse was soon on his legs, so also was his jockey, Mr. Harry Brown. I heard later that there had been something of a collision in mid-air which had caused the horse on which such immense sums depended to become hopelessly unbalanced. The bookmakers had been saved.

The survivors travelled smoothly over the next plain fence, and then came that awkward and rather devilish canal turn, necessitating a sharp left-handed twist. There, as usual, the casualties began to mount up. Eureka II. jumped all right, but was bumped on both sides when landing, and all but came down. That shock probably destroyed his chance, as he ran on afterwards like a badly-shaken horse. It was there that Taffytus was baulked before taking off, and he swung away from the fence. Pencoed, who ran so well a year ago, likewise brought his career, for the time being, to an end here. And other casualties, though they did not all actually fall, were Auchinrossie, All White, and Arravale. As they passed over Valentine’s, immediately beneath the eyes of the King, Silvo led from Drifter, Gay Lochinvar, A Double Escape.

Sergeant Murphy, Winnall, Fly Mask, Gerald L., Master Robert, and others. There was a considerable gap between first and last, and even farther away Shaun Spadah was ploughing a lonely furrow. So they passed out of our immediate vision, but one learned later that no fewer than nineteen crossed the water jump. When they were again viewed on their second circuit it was rather astonishing to see Winnall out with a clear lead and going in great style. Silvo, too, was going strong, and in close company were Sergeant Murphy, Old Tay Bridge, Master Robert, whose position, it will be noted, was now rapidly improving, Gerald L., and several more. Then dismal ill-luck befell Winnall at the canal turn. His Majesty saw what was coming when a loose horse was seen to be galloping alongside Winnall approaching the fence. Instead of the loose horse jumping straight, he ran across the fence and baulked Winnall. This was precisely what the King feared would happen. At the time the ridden horse was lengths in front and going with rare dash. Old Tay Bridge was now left to jump Valentine’s with a short lead of Silvo, a few lengths separating Sergeant Murphy, Fly Mask, Drifter, and Master Robert. Much further behind were Wavetown, Ballinode, and Shaun Spadah, about the only other survivor. At this point it looked as if Silvo might win, though he was obviously tiring. Fly Mask, too, was showing some distress, but Master Robert held on doggedly, and began to pick up steadily but surely. When Old Tay Bridge fell at the fence before reaching the racecourse Master Robert was left in front, and the lead he gained was never afterwards lost. He held on grimly, and though Fly Mask pulled out his last reserves the outsider came on to win for Lord Airlie and Major Green. Immediately the placed horses passed the post his Majesty was informed by telephone of the result, though the last seen from the crow’s nest showed Master Robert in front, with a good lead, and only two more fences to clear. The great crowd was subdued by the result, but we have to look at these things in the right sporting spirit. It was bitterly disappointing that Conjuror II. did not stand up to prove his worth. It is no use discussing what he would have done, but at any rate he beat, at the weights, all the other fancied ones, including Silvo. The horse is a most genuine steeplechaser in every sense.

WINNER BOUGHT IN FOR £220.

Now for some interesting facts about Master Robert. As I have stated, he is owned in partnership by Lord Airlie, of the 10th Hussars, and Major Green. He is a big, powerful, chestnut horse, standing over 16 hands, and would easily carry lost to hounds. That will give hunting folk a good idea of what he is like.

I fancy he was bred in Ireland; it is even said that as a young horse he did work with that notable National winner Troytown, who was so far too much for him at that time that he had to be put to milder objectives. His farmer owner in Ireland actually had him in the plough at a time of emergency, so that here again we have the spice of romance impregnating this latest celebration of the big steeplechase. The time came when Mr. Harry Fordham, who lives in Hertfordshire, had the horse, and it was he who sold him to Lord Airlie for something like £220, as a heavyweight hunter. Lord Airlie is a heavy man, and required a big horse, up to weight. When, on Master Robert, he won the Scottish Military Plate at Perth, he had actually to put up 2st 7lb overweight. The other two runners on that occasion fell, and Master Robert came in alone. Something of a difference, is there not, between that modest triumph and the big thing achieved yesterday? In due course the Hon. Aubrey Hastings came to train him, and he prepared him for several successes, one being when he won on this course last November, while he was third for the Foxhunters’ Steeplechase a year ago. Recently he has given a deal of trouble through lameness in his off forefoot, and has had continual veterinary treatment. He was lame even on Thursday, though Mr. Hastings declared that the trouble disappeared as soon as he set off moving. The trainer really fancied him quite a lot, and it was because of what he told me that I suggested he was a very likely horse to get a place, as being the best outsider in the race. The King personally congratulated the owners, and later graciously extended his congratulations to the trainer and jockey, Trudgill. It is gratifying that there was no serious accident to horse or man, though by the fall of Old Tay Bridge Mr. Hubert Hartigan suffered slight concussion, which necessitated his remaining in the racecourse hospital for the present. It only remains to add that Drifter Sergeant Murphy, Wavetown. Shaun Spadah and Ballinode completed the course. Wonderful how the veterans, Sergeant Murphy and Shaun Spadah, survived. They must have wonderful records here.