NATIONAL HUNT STEEPLECHASE 245 



went to an outsider in Royal Tyrant, who led over the 

 last fence, but was beaten in a desperate finish by Real 

 Shamrock by a head, a result which might be attributed 

 to Royal Tyrant's rider breaking a stirrup leather. 



Mr. F. P. Lysaght's "Real Shamrock," 



4 yrs., 10 St. 10 lb Mr. E. P. Gundry i 



„ W. J. Green's "Royal Tyrant," 



6 yrs., 12 St. 10 lb n E. Hampton 2 



„ J. T. Barrett's "Athelina," aged, 



12 St. 10 lb J, A. Gordon . 3 



Betting: — 7 to i Real Shamrock; 20 to i each Royal Tyrant and 

 Athelina. 



As the horses came past the stand for the first time 

 Longcloth just led ; Daugh did not survive the first 

 fence, and at two miles Ophan fell, as did Queen Bee 

 and Freebooter soon after. At the stand the second 

 time Benediction had drawn to the front, and at the first 

 fence on the far side Maybird and Ballyshannon came 

 down together, New Hampshire and Longcloth follow- 

 ing their example at the next obstacle, and on coming 

 into the straight Royal Tyrant became leader. In the 

 straight Benediction fell away beaten, and Royal Tyrant 

 looked a winner at the last fence, but Real Shamrock 

 drew up and won after a very punishing finish by a head ; 

 a bad third. 



1899 



On two previous occasions, viz. 1891 and 1896, 

 the National Hunt Steeplechase had taken place over 

 the Hurst Park course, and this year the same spot 

 was selected for the third time, and the crowded stands, 

 rings, and enclosures justified the decision of the Com- 

 mittee. No fewer than twenty-two competitors took 

 part in the race of 1000 sovereigns, of which 800 

 were handed over to the owner of the winning horse 

 Glen Royal, who, previous to the race, had been 



