The Irish Grand National 



ONE need never ask when are Fairy house Races. The 

 actual date may not be on the tip of one's tongue, but 

 the day of the fixture is always the same, the meeting 

 being held every year on Easter Monday. 



The Irish Grand National is, naturally, the principal 

 event in the day's programme, and is a one thousand 

 sovereigns steeplechase run over three-and-a-half miles 

 of stiff Irish country. Although the fences have been 

 made less difficult in recent years, they still command 

 a reverent respect from all riders. Being the longest 

 race on the card, competitors start well to the left of the 

 stands and run past on a course almost parallel to them, 

 clear four obstacles, each a bush-fence and ditch, before 

 they swing round right-handed on to the racecourse 

 proper. Three more such fences before reaching the 

 long sweep of level going that brings them right past 

 the stands to a hedge with a wide, deep ditch behind 

 and a nasty drop; and away they swing, right-handed 

 again, to the open country. Two open ditches, in 

 quick succession, wait yawningly for some luckless 

 competitor. A short distance ahead a ditch and up- 

 bank, leading on to rising ground, makes horses use 

 their hocks. A long sweep; over a drop ditch ; gruelling 

 up-hill gallop; a high bush-fence; still more up-hill 



H IO3 (DI280) 



