Mr. J. M. Richardson's Writings Collated 



space between brook and timber being 10 ft. at least. Then, 

 in front of the Grand Stand, where the water is now, was 

 erected expressly for the occasion, but not, as a reporter 

 facetiously observed, " by particular desire," a wall 4 ft. 8| in. 

 in height, whilst in the second round a stiff post or rail topped 

 with gorse was put up, as the same humorist remarks, "to 

 conciliate those who were longing for another touch at the 

 water." 



A Handicap Event. 



The stipulation for "gentlemen riders" in the conditions 

 does not seem to have had any serious meaning on this 

 occasion, seeing that of the seventeen horses left in only nine 

 were ridden by jockeys having any legitimate claim to the 

 title. The next year and the two following the weights 

 remained the same (12 st. each), except in the case of Lottery, 

 who, in 1840, was penalized 7 lbs. for his previous victory, and 

 might have won but for falling at the wall; and in 1841 and 

 1842 carried no less than 18 lbs. extra for winning the Chelten- 

 ham Steeplechase, bringing his weight up to 13 st. 4, which, 

 of course, had the effect, as was intended, of putting him out 

 of court. In fact, Jim Mason pulled him up on both occasions 

 before the end of the race. In 1843 the race was re-christened 

 " The Liverpool and National Steeplechase," and, in addition, 

 became the handicap it has remained ever since ; the wall, too, 

 which had been [removed the previous year, was again revived 

 on a smaller scale, being 4 ft. high, built masonically, with a 

 layer of turf on the top. 



Lottery, whose fifth and last appearance it was in the race, 

 was again amongst the starters, being let off this time with 

 12 st. 6, and a good wind-up he made of it, for, starting 

 second favourite at 4 to 1, he finished seventh to Vanguard. 



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