CHAPTER Xll 



THE NATIONAL HUNT STEEPLECHASE 



AS a preface to a complete list of winning 

 owners, riders, and the heroes and heroines 

 of the National Hunt Steeplechase, it may 

 be interesting: to record the fact that this longr 

 popular event was originated by a party of noble- 

 men and gentlemen who, at the end of the fifties, 

 found that the Jockey Club had neither time nor 

 desire to shape their rules to fit hurdle and steeple- 

 chasing. It therefore became necessary to form 

 a similar guardianship solely to take over the 

 management of our jumping affairs. 



Steeplechasing at that time had sunk to a low 

 level, but the situation was at once saved by that 

 never-to-be-forgotten good sportsman, Mr B. J. 

 or " Cherry Angell," as he was always referred 

 to by his friends. As was anticipated, this move 

 made by Mr Angell quickly found a following 

 of the right sort. There, however, are not many 

 livinsf who can recall that oreat set-off in i860 at 

 Farndon, about a mile and a half outside Market- 

 Harborough. This was decided over four miles of 

 a beautiful hunting country through which ran 

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