Juliette's weekly frolic
The Sporting Life recently published a letter chastising bookmakers for their narrowminded habit of refusing antepost wagers on races sponsored by their rivals. On Monday, donning a shining halo of enlightenment, Ladbroke's did a complete about-turn and opened up shop on Corals Welsh Grand National. But bang next door, the benefactors themselves confined their customary advertisiment to the football market, coldshouldering altogether a race which they are boosting by the substantial sum of £4,000. On Tuesday matters remained unaltered and while Corals were virtously declaring that it would be misleading to bet before the four-day declarations, Ladbrokes were doing lucrative business and, thanks to some efficient homework, already boasted a highly reliable list of runners. While I adhere firmly to the belief that up-country Bangoron-Dee is the only racecourse in Wales, there can be no disputing the " Welshness " of this race. First run at the Cardiff Hunt Meeting in 1895 the " Grand National" moved to its present venue after the last war, and with the generous boost from Messrs Corals can now claim to be one of the most valuable, as well as oldest, steeplechases in the country. Only one horse, The Spaniard, has been set to carry over 11 stone and Ladbrokes report most interest in the lightlyweighted Irishman, Beggars Way. So anxious are his connections to see him safely at the starting gate, that they're shipping the horse over by sea rather than run the risk of a blizzard-bound Irish aircraft. No doubt he'll prove a born sailor, but under the circum stances I prefer those travelling on terra firma and none more than the old man of the party, The Spaniard. Entered the same afternoon at his favourite Newcastle — as well as Nottingham — he is, despite his topweight, better handicapped here and if sent south can follow the recent examples of Charlie H and Royal Toss by beating some lightly-weighted opponents. In case of absence I'll go along with another northern challenger, Southern Lad, who after falling when looking highly dangerous in the "Great Yorkshire" was backed to beat his elders in Haydock's National Trial. That gamble went astray, but with 9.9Ib he's worth another chance here.
Chief supporting feature, the Crick Hurdle, is the established dress rehearsal for the Players No 6 Final on the course next month. The grey dual scorer, Sea Tale, will be backed as if there's no tomorrow, but if either of Fred Winter's entrants — Vervins and What Next — accompany him from Lambourn I would happily oppose the probable favourite. Hound Tor won the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival two years ago, but what with a year off in between has had to wait until this January to supplement that success. Presuming progress is maintained and racing is on (the meeting's been abandoned three times in the last four years) he could get the better of a smart field in the Jerry M Handicap 'Chase at Lingfield that same afternoon.
Assets: £79.08. Outlay: £3 to win The Spaniard (if abs Southern Lad), Fred Winter's sel in Crick Hurdle, Hound Tor.
Five to follow, assets: £12.52.
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