GRAND ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE
over 4 miles (100 sovereigns)
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 1866 Aintree Grand National click here.
GRAND NATIONAL FORM
Cortolvin WON the 1867 Grand National at 100/6
Cortolvin was 2nd at 8/1 in the 1866 Grand National behind Salamander
Reporter was unplaced at 50/1 in the 1864 Grand National behind Emblematic
Sir William was unplaced at 100/1 in the 1864 Grand National behind Emblematic
Reporter was unplaced at 50/1 in the 1866 Grand National behind Salamander
Ibex was unplaced at 25/1 in the 1866 Grand National behind Salamander
Sir William was unplaced at 50/1 in the 1866 Grand National behind Salamander
Little Frank was unplaced at 25/1 in the 1867 Grand National behind Cortolvin
Daisy was unplaced at 11/1 in the 1868 Grand National behind The Lamb
The following account of the race is shown courtesy of Bell’s Life and the Sporting Chronicle. Reporter set the early pace, followed by Little Frank, Sprite, Ibex and Cortolvin, while Balder brought up the rear. Proceeding in this order up the long length, at the lower end of the course the separations of the field began as the pace quickened, whereupon Daisy, who had started badly, was fully 30 lengths behind the field. In crossing the latter stream, Daisy began to make headway and take closer order so that on repassing the Stand she had rejoined the rest who were led by Sprite, with Little Frank sticking to her quarters. Cortolvin, previously near the head of affairs, now ran in third place, in advance of Sir William, Ibex and Reporter. Ace of Trumps followed next alongside Daisy, with Balder, ploughing a lone furrow, whipping them in. After travelling in this order to the bottom Sprite increased her advantage and jumped into the enclosure two lengths to the good of Reporter. Sprite led them a merry dance down to the brook, approaching which Balder came with a rush and, jumping quickest, landed nearly a length in front of the lightweight and Ibex. Approaching the last fence but one, scrimmaging was caused by a loose stallion pony which Reporter cleverly avoided, but which came in to contact with Balder who fell at his side. Little Frank was also knocked over in the skirmish, while those who had not had their progress interrupted made their way into the Pitchcroft. In the straight the Carmarthen horse, Daisy, was full of running and cantered to a six length victory in advance of Little Frank who beat Sprite by a length for second. After the race Lord Coventry expressed his displeasure and objected to the Stewards, vowing not to run his horses at Pitchcroft in the future.
