GREEN; YELLOW SLEEVES, BELT, AND CAP 



that, to quote the account of the race, he was "baulked 

 by the crowd at the bullfinch out of the lane and threw 

 his jockey," the owner, Mr. Hunter. We are thus 

 informed that there was a bullfinch among the obstacles, 

 ^d it is also to be gathered that the finish was over a 

 couple of hurdles, as it continued to be till a compara- 

 tively late period. This was unquestionably a great 

 mistake on the part of those responsible for the course. 

 After jumping the huge fences horses were, as a matter 

 of course, inclined to chance these puny obstacles, which 

 were on several occasions nevertheless sufficient to upset 

 them. 



1843 

 In 1843 ^^ ^^y t>e said that the Liverpool as we know 

 it was started, for the race was made a handicap, 

 described as the " Liverpool and National Steeplechase," 

 a dual title which may perhaps account for it being called 

 sometimes by one name and sometimes by the other. 

 I cannot make out whether the distance was four miles 

 or four miles and a half, and I can find no record of the 

 time, which would be to some extent a guide, even 

 though it might not appear conclusive. The wall was 

 restored, or at least there was a wall, but not a very 

 formidable one ; it had been reduced to four feet and 

 had a layer of turf on the top. Yet once more Lottery 

 essayed the adventure, with only a 5 lb. penalty, and 

 belief in him remained so strong that he was second 

 favourite at 4 to i, the actual first choice being Peter 



14 



