Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 18 · column 1 of 5 · from the scan, no model involved
By Betsy Branscome
Times Community Newspapers
Staff Writer
As many as five of America’s top steeplechasers could compete in England’s richest races this spring, if all goes according to the grand plans of connected owners and trainers.
One of the potential starters is already there, training towards the April 4 English Grand National at Aintree in Liverpool. Arcadia Stables’ Buck Jakes has already annexed two runnings of America’s toughest timber ‘chase, the Maryland Hunt Cup, a National qualifier. He shipped late last fall to trainer Capt. Tim Forster near Lamboum to prep for the fourplus mile English marathon.
The Arcadia color-bearer was nominated in January for the National along with 100 others. A handicap, only the top-rated (horses recording the most wins) 40 horses are allowed to start.
Buck Jakes was trained, and initially ridden, in the U.S. by Marylander Charlie Fenwick, who partnered Ben Nevis to win the 1980 National. He has made three starts to date over the big, soft English ’chase fences from his Wiltshire base, but has yet to show any propensity for running or jumping at his former stateside level. He pulled up after jumping poorly in his first start in December, then showed little in two later starts last month.
Forster initially ran the gray gelding sans his blinkers and shadow roll (items which focus a horse’s concentration), but both were back on in his last start to no avail. The only change not yet tried is to reunite amateur jockey Anne Moran with her dual Hunt Cupwinning ride. Reports from NSA communications director Joe Clancy are that Forster may indeed try that tack.
90.8%