His Lordship Up

The whole empire seemed agreed that Cromwell was the best horse. But on the eve last week of Britain's famed Grand National, the odds on Cromwell fluttered nervously. What worried horse-minded Britons was not Cromwell but his lordly jockey, 39-year-old Anthony Bingham ("Nitty") Mildmay, 2nd Baron Mildmay of Flete.

His Lordship, a gaunt, stoop-shouldered six-footer, hovered over all calculations like a specter. Said a Liverpool stevedore, wiping ale from his mustaches: "The worst rider in the world . . . just like a sack of potatoes jouncing up & down." Not everybody agreed; his Lordship had ridden no less than 32 winners one season. But things were always happening when he rode in the National. In 1936, a rein buckle broke as he led the field to the last jump, and his mount ran right off the course. Riding Cromwell last year, he seemed to have the big race won at the canal turn; then he developed a painful crick in his neck, from an old injury, and lost his touch on the reins.

This time Lord Mildmay looked for better luck. Before he climbed up on Cromwell at Aintree last week, he said, "I am full of confidence." But confidence soon left the Mildmay rooters in the crowd of 300,000 who jammed the 4 1/2-mi. steeplechase course. As the field of 43 thundered over the first hazardous jumps, the long-legged Lord let three outsiders steal a long lead on the favorite. He seemed to be concentrating on getting safely, rather than quickly, over the jumps. It was hard to cavil at this: 32 of the 43 horses failed to finish; Cromwell stayed on his feet to the end.

But he was never a strong contender. Going into the stretch, three horses were still ahead of him and they stayed ahead. Out in front by eight lengths at the finish line was a rank outsider (66 to 1) named Russian Hero.

Among those with reason to be happy about Russian Hero's victory were Sportsman-Farmer William Williamson, his owner, who had bet -L-10 on him at 300 to 1 in the winter books, collected a cool $12,000. Also prideful was the London Daily Worker's handicapper, who had picked Russian Hero to win, insisting that the tip was not purely political, just a bettor's hunch.

The winning jockey was Irishman Leo McMorrow, a pro from Mount Shannon, County Sligo. Said he: "It's a once in a lifetime. Lord Mildmay? Poor beggar, he's a heart of fire, but he'll never make it now."

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