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Betting |
Bell’s Life and the Sporting Chronicle provided a detailed account of the race on Saturday 25th March 1876, the article forming the backbone of the information shown below.
The racing press now supported the fact that two major race meetings were scheduled for the same week, commenting ‘From the great crowd upon the first class special which left Lincoln late Wednesday afternoon bound for Liverpool, it was clear that ‘double duty’ was the rule rather than the exception. In a week containing the birth of the flat racing season and the principal steeplechase of the year, it has often been regretted that two such important events should take place in the same week. In common with all true lovers of the sport, all hailed the amicable arrangements of the present season, not least in the movement of the Grand National to a Friday. In every department the meetings under the control of Messrs Topham have been strengthened and improved’. Once the appointed time had arrived the flag fell with minimum delay, Chimney Sweep, Master Mowbray and Liberator jumping off 3 lengths clear of their rivals. All cleared the first without mishap, while at the second Palm pitched on to his head and Clonave refused. In the meantime Chimney Sweep, Shifnal, Master Mowbray and Liberator sailed ahead to Becher’s Brook, over which Master Mowbray held a slight command which was maintained to Valentine’s Brook. Shifnal took over at the head of affairs at Canal side from Master Mowbray, Chimney Sweep and Jackal, with a distinct gap to the remainder. Over the Stand Water, Shifnal led the field a merry dance ahead of Jackal taking the field back into the country. Thyra and Spray both called time well before Becher’s at which Shifnal and Liberator shared the running, although it was noticeable that Chandos was travelling ominously well.
It’s now over the John Hanmer in the Stands for the rest of the commentary which is shown below. |
By the time the leaders approached the second fence from home Chandos had his head in front but attempted to gallop through the fence and, as a consequence, came down a purler. Five furlongs from home Rye, Jackal and Shifnal led from Phryne and Congress, with Chimney Sweep struggling to keep pace with the leaders. Approaching the final flight the contest rested between Congress on the outside and Regal hugging the stand rails. In a closely fought battle Regal won by a neck from Congress, with 3 lengths separating them from Shifnal in third; Chimney Sweep was fourth, Rye fifth and Jackal sixth. |
