BRITISH SPORT PAST AND PRESENT 



Mohican, ridden by Harry Beasley, carried most of the 

 money and* started favourite in a field of 12 for the Grand 

 National. Cyrus, 10 st. 9 \h., was ridden by Mr, T. Beasley. 

 Seaman by Lord Manners, 11 st. 6 tb. Adams was on 

 Liberator the '79 winner, Captain Smith was on " Zoedone " 

 — the next year's winner : Frank Wynne steered " Black 

 Prince," Mr. Thirlwell, " Eau de Vie " : Jewitt rode the Scot : 

 Waddington, Montauban : Mr. E. P. Wilson was on Fay : 

 Andrews on Wild Monarch, and Sensier on Ignition. It will 

 thus be seen that the pick of all the talent of the time was 

 arrayed against the venturous Lord Manners. 



' Very heavy rain had fallen, and the morning of March 23rd 

 was as disagreeable as it often is at Aintree, the course in front 

 of the stands was horribly muddy, and light misty rain almost 

 obscured the canal turn. There was a murmur of applause 

 when Seaman passed in the Parade, but in the canter Harry 

 Beasley fetched Mohican a rib-binder to wake him up, a pro- 

 ceeding that I did not like, tho' his owner, who stood next to 

 me, took it as a " matter of course." (I beg leave to say that 

 no joke is intended !) 



' There is nothing in racing that seems to me quite as 

 exciting as the start for the National. When the flag fell 

 away they went in splendid line into the dull grey distance. 

 My little money was on the favourite, but Seaman's progress 

 attracted me most and I watched through my glasses the 

 splendid style in which he sailed over what used to be called 

 " Fan's fence " ; but thanks to the weather our glasses be- 

 came of little use after that. Mohican fell at the big second 

 fence into the country, taking off far too soon and dropping 

 his hind legs into the far ditch, but Mr. Beasley rolled away 

 unhurt ; he was striding along in great form when he fell and 

 looked the giant of the cluster that led. Seaman at the water 

 covered a lot of space in his jump and Cyrus skimmed it " like 

 a swallow on a summer's eve " ; but the day grew darker as 

 they turned and it was difficult to see more till they came 

 round again for home. Then it was clear that two horses 



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