Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-03-24
E. SD. Wins Grand National
AS Royal Horse StumbIes
Queen Mother
Near First Regal
Win in Sc Years

A4IN INEGs, GIlS ldLlQ, Nd1. "a
R.-E. S. B., 1907 shot. won the
10th running Of the Grand Ma
tional steeplechase today, snatch
ing a laSt-minute victory from
the royal horse Devon Loeb, who
stumbled on almost his last
stride to the finishing post.
Amid scenes of tremendous
excitement unmatched in years,
young Queen Elizabeth saw her
mothers gelding deprived Of
what would have been the royal
family's first Grand National
win in Sc years. Gentle Moya
was second at 22-l and Royal
Tan finished third at 28-1. Royal
Tan won in 1854
The winner was timed in 8
minutes 81 seconds. fastest in
years.
The Queen Mother and Prin-
cess Margaret sat with the
Queen in the royal box and wit
messed the exciting race. The
then Prince of Wales Ambush
II won the 1900 Grand National,
last victory for the royal family
in the gruelling race of Al
miles 856 yards over 80 tough
fences.
Crowd Disappointed
With a scant so yards to go
and victory seemingly in the bag.
Devon Loeb stumbled. A vast
groan of disappointment went
up from the crowd.
E. S. B., who had been trail
ing, raced on strongly past the
finish line 10 lengths ahead of
Gentle Moya, which in turn was
10 lengths from Ally Khan's
Royal Tan.
Devon Loeb stumbled and
skidded and almost went down
but managed to recover. The
jockey. R. Francis, dismounted.
Eagle Lodge finished fourth.
Key Royal, fifth; Martinique,
sixth: Carey's Cottage, seventh,
and Clearing, eighth.
The winner and winning
Jockey Dave Dick got nothing
like the normally tremendous re-
ception given to a National
winner.
Even the winning owner, Mrs.
Leonard Carver, was resigned to
second place.
Winner Expresses Sympathy
II couldn't believe my eyes
when Devon Loeb suddenly
stopped, as l was cheering him,
well content that my horse was
second to Queen Mother" said
Mrs. Carver.
1T was a great thrill. but I
cannot help feeling terribly sorry
for the Queen Mother"
zo All entries were backed to win
at least 10000 pounds ($28,00O.
At the same time the In
Ifuential League Against Cruel
Sports yesterday called upon the
government to cancel the race.
The leagues blast was indirect
CRITICISM of the Queen Mother
and Britains royal family who
have a strong interest in steeple-
chasing.
Although jockeys seldom are
seriously injured, more than so
horses are believed to have been
killed because of Grand National
spills. The number possibly is
much higher due to destruction
OF injured mounts several days
after the race and away from
Aintree.
Last Years Course Muddy
Last year the course was deep
in mud and jockeys had to take
lit slowly. No horses were killed.
| In 1854 of 20 starters. only 8
finished. Sixteen fell and q were
killed.
Back in 1928 the only horse
not to fall was Tipperary Tim.
The Queen Mother. also had
entered M'aS-Tu-Vu. Her Devon
Loeb had attracted practically
all the sentimental money be-
cause of Briton's love of bet
ting on the royal entry.
The Queen, one of the worlds
top owners. has only fiat run
ners this year.
| Russia S eX-Premier Georgi N.
Malenkov, here on an official
visit. was among the crowd esti-
mated at 100000,