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FORERUNNER TO THE GRAND ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE |
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| Although the Worcester Grand Annual Steeplechase was not formally so-named until 1847, a number of Chase races did take place in the vicinity of Worcester leading up to this date. These included the Royal Birthday Handicap, the Worcestershire Hunt Stakes, the Witley Stakes, the Tally-Ho Stakes, the Worcestershire Handicap and the Farmers' Stakes. |
Thursday 14th March 1844
Royal Birthday Handicap over 4 miles Value £630 |
| HORSE |
OWNER |
JOCKEY |
ODDS |
| DISCOUNT |
Mr Quartermaine |
Crickmere |
5/2 fav |
| VANGUARD |
Mr King |
T Oliver |
4/1 |
| LADY HARKAWAY |
Mr Smith |
Byrne |
10/1 |
| GAYLAD |
Mr Mason |
Jem Mason |
10/1 |
| REGALIA |
Mr Page |
Goddard |
25/1 |
| ROBIN ADAIR |
Mr Raworth |
Bradley |
5/1 |
| MARENGO |
Mr Bretherton |
Bretherton |
10/1 |
| KING COLE |
Mr Anderson |
Ball |
25/1 |
| CREEPER |
Mr W Ekins |
Frisby |
25/1 |
| CULVERTHORPE |
Mr Tilbury |
Taylor |
10/1 |
| ROULETTE |
Mr Powell |
Powell |
25/1 |
| CORA |
Mr Scott |
Scott |
10/1 |
| BRILLIANT |
Mr Westley |
Noble |
25/1 |
| FORGET-ME-NOT |
Mr Griffiths |
Patrick |
25/1 |
| CHARITY |
Mr Vevers |
Vevers |
20/1 |
| JOSEPHINE |
Mr Moore |
Holman |
25/1 |
| The winner won by 1 1/2 lengths, with 2 lengths back to the third. |
143% |
| Worcestershire Hunt Stakes Value £95 |
| Lady Harkaway owned by Mr Smith and ridden by Byrne 6 Ran |
| Tally-Ho Stakes Value £80 |
| Culverthorpe owned by Mr Tilbury and ridden by W Scott 8 Ran |
| Witley Stakes (did not fill) |
The Worcester Grand Annual Steeplechase is intrinsically linked with the Aintree Grand National, its inaugural running taking place in 1836, the same year the first 'unofficial' Grand National took place.
For details of the 1844 Aintree Grand National click here. |
GRAND NATIONAL FORM
Vanguard WON the 1843 Grand National at 12/1
Discount WON the 1844 Grand National at 5/1
Gaylad WON the 1842 Grand National ay 7/1
Culverthorpe was SECOND at 12/1 in the 1846 Grand National behind Pioneer
Vanguard was unplaced when 4/1 favourite in the 1845 Grand National behind Cure-All
Marengo was unplaced at 5/1 in the 1844 Grand National behind Discount
Charity was unplaced at 13/1 in the 1844 Grand National behind Discount
Regalia was unplaced at 50/1 in the 1846 Grand National behind Pioneer
Marengo was unplaced at 20/1 in the 1847 Grand National behind Matthew
Culverthorpe was unplaced at 10/1 in the 1847 Grand National behind Matthew |
| Another famous race from days gone by, the Land O' Plums Steeplechase, formerly run at Pershore Racecourse, has now been reinstated at Worcester racecourse. |
