THE NATIONAL HUNT 



one of which must be of three miles or upwards." That 

 is not unsatisfactory so far as it goes, but steeplechases 

 of more than three miles are extremely rare, I think 

 others are needed and three and a half miles as just 

 remarked is with two exceptions at present the limit, so 

 far as my memory serves. There may be longer ones 

 at some minor sporting fixtures. 



In Mr. Bibby's first year, 1899, he had a runner in 

 the National Hunt Steeplechase, a mare called Fille 

 d' Amour, Mr. A. W. Wood, son I believe of a Lincoln- 

 shire parson, in the saddle. She was only a four-year- 

 old. It will be noticed in the original conditions that 

 animals of this age used to be eligible, though they are 

 so no longer, and it may be observed that it is one of 

 the most remarkable things about French racing that an 

 extraordinary number of four-year-olds have won the 

 four mile Grand Steeplechase de Paris and run up for it. 

 I have no doubt that later in life Fille d'Amour did duty 

 in Mr. Bibby's hunting stable : she never won a race. 

 It should have been noted that the National Hunt 

 Steeplechase was a movable feast. The rule used to be 

 for Clerks of Courses to send in their tenders to be 

 considered at a general meeting of the Committee, the 

 applications stating what sum, if any, the directors of 

 the course were prepared to add. I believe ;^25o was 

 the lowest amount ever offered in the early days when 

 this practice was in vogue. 



In 1899 the bid of Hurst Park was accepted, and the 



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