354 STEEPLE-CHASING. 



The Grand National Hunt STEErLE-cHASE of 5 sovs. each, 

 with 300 sovs. added ; the second to receive 50 sovs. out of the 

 stakes ; for bondjide hunters that at the time of starting have never 

 won any steeple-chase, hurdle-race, or flat race, value 20 sovs., not 

 including the winner's own stake, and that have never started in a 

 handicap, steeple-chase, or hurdle-race, up to the time of starting ; 

 four years old, 10 St. 10 lbs. ; five, 12 st. i lb, ; six and aged, 12 st. 

 10 lbs. ; to be ridden by qualified Gentlemen, Farmers, or Farmers' 

 Sons, who have never ridden for hire ; four horses the property of 

 different owners to start or only half the added money will be 

 given ; if only three start the second money will be withheld, and 

 in case of a walk-over only one-fourth of the added money will be 

 given ; entrance 3 sovs., the only liability for non-starters. About 

 four miles. 



The race is usually run over a fair hunting country, though 

 the old complaint that fences are cut down to let in hurdle- 

 racers has more than once been heard. The Grand National 

 Hunt Steeple-chase is run over different courses each year. 



At the general meeting of the Committee in December 

 clerks of courses send in their tenders, and when one is ac- 

 cepted, the Committee state what sum, if any, they are pre- 

 pared to add. It will be understood, therefore, that the added 

 money varies, but it is never less than 250/. Sometimes no 

 tender is accepted, as in 1883, when the Melton stewards were 

 asked to admit the Grand National Hunt Steeple-chase (or 

 rather steeple-chases, for there are always two, the second being 

 for smaller stakes) into their programme. 



The conditions of the minor race may be given. 



The Grand National Open Farmers' Plate of ico sovs. 

 for the winner, and 25 sovs. for the second, for qualified hunters, 

 and ho7iafidc the property of Tenant Farmers occupying not less 

 than 100 acres in any part of the United Kingdom, and not being 

 horse-dealers ; to be ridden by qualified Gentlemen, Farmers, or 

 Farmers' Sons, who have never ridden for hire ; four years old, 10 st. 

 12 lbs. ; five, 12 st. 3 lbs. ; six and aged, 12 st. 12 lbs. ; winners of 

 a steeple-chase, 3 lbs. ; twice, or of 50 sovs., 7 lbs. ; twice of 50 sovs., 

 or once of 100 sovs., 12 lbs. ; or once of 140 sovs., 17 lbs. extra; 

 horses, bred by the owner allowed 6 lbs. ; four horses the property 



