Saturday was, again an unpleasant day for racing; for, though the weather was bright and dry, the course was even worse than on Wednesday and so the New Year Meeting at Kiangwan concluded in somewhat poor style, but with far better racing than during the first three days. The big event was the Grand National, over which there was great excitement, for Old Bill was out and of course attracted the public. Then Mr. Morriss sent out Mr. Heard with Letchfield, a tried performer in heavy going and himself rode and declared t> win with the clever Petersfield. There were three other useful competitors, all in good hands and Tiga as an outside chance.
Tiga fell out of the race, but the others came to the last fence of the long journey in a group, from which the big three then jumped out, with Letchfield and Old_ Bill going neck and neck. Many thought Old Bill was bound to get it on the straight, but Letchfield strode clear away, to win by an easy four lengths, with its stable companion beaten another three lengths into third. Thus the order was the same as last year, the only difference being that Mr. Heard carried 2 Ib. more and won more easily.
The Grifins' Steeplechase produced a sterling "lopper" Battlewing, which Mr. C. R. Burkill, riding with easy confidence, brought in to win by a length in the' last few strides from Nunsfield, with Wiltshire third. Western Union failed on Wednesday under a penalty, but came out again with as much for the—Sub-Griffins' Handicap, with Mr. Heard in the saddle this time and won comfortably.
The Nursery Handicap was a gift for Pure Diamond, for a 9 lb. allowance to Mr. J. K. Brand would bring him within a challenge of almost any pony. The New Year Handicap was a better tribute to the almost uncanny judgement of the handicapper. It seemed ridiculeus to allow even a pound off Bright Folly, three off Mazurey and as much as 7 Ib. off South Down, but he was right. Every Time led practically throughout, beating Mazurek and Thomas a Becket into places.
The post entry events brought little excitement, save the race for the Off Chance Cup. There was some sort of a misunderstanding at the start, with the result that four ponies, including raging favourite! Time. 2 min. 20% sec
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.