Tlic Grand National — Beclnal. 91 



Mr. E. P. Wilson is destined to win it this year. His 

 horses have too much weight, and the ground will be 

 very heavy. There will be great cannonading in such a 

 crowd, and I fear some nasty tumbles. The fittest horse 

 with the lightest weight will come in front, and perhaps 

 Old Badger will astonish the natives. The Irishmen all 

 swear by Too Good. I never knew ahorse too good for 

 such a race as this, and the probability is that he will 

 turn out not good enough at the end of the four miles and 

 a quarter with list. 121b. on his back. Amiciais just the 

 sort of light-framed mare that will not stick in the dirt, 

 and may be nearer first than last if Frank Cotton has got 

 her as fit as she was last year at Ludlow. Borderer, 

 however, is not in stables' secrets now, and will go with 

 the tide in taking Coronet for the big steeplechase of the 

 week. 



TWENTY SECOND WEEK, March 22nd to 29th. 



Sir Watkin re-opened the ball at Maesfen on Saturday, 

 the 20th ult., but spent the greater part of the day in or 

 near the Wyches, which effectually took the gloss off 

 the fresh horses, and put them and hounds into condition 

 for Monday, when there was the usual throng at Eednal 

 Station, and a rare hunting morning — too hot for choice. 

 The high ground round Tedsmore was first tried, 

 ineffectually ; and then a trot through Pradoe brought 

 the calvacade to Sandford Pool, which also for a wonder 

 was untenanted. A patch of gorse beyond, however, 

 held a fox, and he preferred popping into a rabbit hole 

 to affording sport. However, the persuasions of a terrier 

 and spades were too conclusive for him, and away he 

 went for West Eelton and on to Pradoe, close to the 

 church, then dipping down crossed the brook on to 

 Shelvock Earm, and so on through the small covert 

 between these and Grig Hill, which he reached, and 

 went to ground after a pretty gallop — albeit a bit flashy 

 — hounds running fast and slow by turns. Those that 

 liked jumping had it, and those that chose to shirk saw 



