1 68 STEEPLECHASING 



Niel, Victor II., Brigand, Bob Ridley, Turco, Lord 

 Marcus, Rossanmore, The Bear, Bellringer, and 

 Concha. 



An excellent start was effected at the first attempt, 

 Jackal immediately showing in front. At the first fence 

 The Bear refused as he had done before, and so did 

 Bellringer. His Lordship, Bacchus, Victor II., and 

 Concha fell, while Queen of Kildare refused at the next 

 obstacle. When they had fairly settled down Martha 

 took up the running, and was followed over Becher's 

 Brook by Bob Ridley. After going for about a mile 

 and a half Lord Marcus drew to the front, and with Bob 

 Ridley made alternate running, until reaching the arti- 

 ficial water jump in front of the stand, Lord Marcus 

 being first over, with The Liberator and Bob Ridley 

 close up. At Becher's Brook the second time round 

 Marshal Niel fell, and shordy afterwards Regal was in 

 trouble. After clearing the fence at the canal bridge, 

 Bob Ridley and Lord Marcus fell back. The Liberator, 

 Jackal, and Martha going away, and keeping close 

 company until reaching the last hurdle, when the Irish 

 horse shot out and won in a canter by ten lengths, 

 two lengths between second and third. Time, lo 

 minutes i 2 seconds. 



The winner was always a favourite with the English 

 public, for he was a consistent performer. He was bred 

 by Mr. Stokes, of Mount Hawk, in Ireland in 1869; 

 he was a bit high on the leg and not the handsomest 

 horse in the world. He did not run till he was five 

 years old, and that was at Cork Park races, and about 

 eight months afterwards was sold for ;^6oo to Mr. 

 Hawk. In 1876 we first find him running for the 

 Grand National, when he was not mentioned in the 

 betting, and as he fell in the course of the race nothing 

 was thought about him. At Sewell's Repository in 

 Dublin, whither he was sent for sale, he did not reach 



