Steeplechasing was developed by disappointed foxhunters who did just that. They chased steeples. If they failed to flush a fox, the rough & ready riders would set a course on a distant church spire, then set off hell-for-leather over any obstacle that got in their way. Last week's Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree was as rough & tumble as any oldtimer could wish. Only three of the starting field of 36 even finished the race.*
At post time, the co-favorites (at 8-1) were Irish Jumper Shagreen and John Hay ("Jock") Whitney's Arctic Gold, his fifth Grand National entry. But at the fifth...
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