Mar. 31.
Considering that a change in the Stewards of the National Hunt Committee is very rare, Uhat the best steeplechase jockeys carry on until they are middle-aged, and that the same lowners and' trainers are vitally interested year after year, it is somewhat surprising that certain doubtless genuine and well-intentioned persons also year after year come forward with the same agitation against some the jumps in the Grand National. Tt is probable that the agitation is as old as the ace itself, and never at any time has it evoked any sympathy from the people mainly concerm fed, from the Press, or from the general public. Nor, so far as the recollection carries, have more than a very few ' people whose opinion mijcht be expected to carry weight over supported the demand for the abolition or reduction of some of the stiffer obstacles. Perhaps few would contend in real seriousness that any particular purpose is served: by providing such a tremendous test for steeplechasers, for it is but rarely that the Keenest of thrusters in the hunting fole puts his mount at obstacles the equivalent of even some of the lesser fences at Aintree, and a horse who can do the famous course in winning time has to be something of a trick jumper as well as the possessor of speed and stamina. Yot there always are plenty of men willing to take fa horse over the course—it rumoured that many women would jump at the opportunity: were they to be conceded the privilege—and- in some cases, such as that of Capt.
a man will devote his:
is fortune to securing amount which he personally cam ride to victory.
As for the horses, it is, of course, terrible to read of some [superb animal coming down and being fatally injured, and yet it
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.