The Life of a Great Sportsman 



and experienced what seemed to us an endless journey in 

 consequence. 



Grand National Prospects. 



With Jerry M. and Cackler scratched, and, to judge from 

 the betting, the race apparently regarded as practically a " walk- 

 over" for Lutteur III., the Grand National of this year is, 

 indeed, a shadow of its former self. 



This lamentable state of things is not likely to affect the 

 general public to any great extent, and should the weather 

 prove fine there will probably be quite as large an assemblage 

 as ever on Friday next at Aintree, but to the thousands of 

 sportsmen from all parts of the kingdom, of whom a large 

 majority are \ hunting men, whose annual visit to Liverpool is 

 their red-letter day in the year, the disappointment is bound to 

 be very great. 



If only Jerry M. had stood up, the meeting between our 

 champion 'chaser and Lutteur III. would have been quite 

 sufficient attraction in itself without a thought of the other 

 horses. As it is, should, as is reported to be the case, 

 M. Hennessy's horse have come back to his very best form, it 

 looks uncommonly as though the market is right for once, 

 and that the Grand National is again destined to go to 

 France. 



If, however, the race, which has for so long been regarded 

 as perhaps the most sporting event of the year, and second 

 only to the Derby in importance, is a bit unlucky on this 

 occasion, the same cannot be said of the National Hunt Steeple- 

 chase, which was brought off with such tclat the other day in 

 the neighbourhood of Cheltenham. 



Though the heavy going frightened some of the owners 

 into withdrawing their horses, no fewer than thirty-eight went 



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