LIVERPOOL 79 



far as I can ascertain, is the first proprietary race-course 

 ever organised. At this time, too, the Heaton Park 

 races were removed to Liverpool as an autumn meeting, 

 and that of course added to the funds of the company. 

 On payment of ^lO out of the ^25, each subscriber was 

 entitled to a " silver ticket " carrying with it free admis- 

 sion to course and stand. 



The first "great" steeplechase at Aintree took place 

 on the 24th February 1839, and this was the first of the 

 Grand Nationals, at any rate it is so regarded, though of 

 course the term " Grand National " was not then in use. 

 Being the first of a series of important steeplechases, I may 

 perhaps be excused for dealing with it at some length. 



For some days before the race Liverpool was all 

 bustle and excitement. Visitors arrived not only from 

 all parts of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, but 

 from the Continent ; while Croxteth, Knowsley, and 

 other great country houses had parties for the occasion. 

 The betting-room was at the Talbot Hotel, and there 

 was an evident desire to speculate on the result ; but 

 business, as one authority tells us, was somewhat held 

 in check, as no one knew how many out of the fifty- 

 three entries (two had paid forfeit) would start. Lord 

 Macdonald's The Nun, however, was favourite at 8 to t, 

 while Lottery at 9 to i was always well backed. The 

 horses, it may be mentioned, carried 12 stone each, that 

 being the standard weight in those days. 



The affair seems to have been a huge success so far 

 as the attendance was concerned, as the course was 

 exceedingly crowded. As early as nine o'clock in the 

 morning the roads leading to Aintree were pretty well 

 thronged. The course was one mass of people, and the 

 grand stand would not accommodate more than about 

 two-thirds of those who souc^ht admission. Even the 

 roof and the chimney-stacks were occupied by the more 

 adventurous ; the minor stands were crammed to suffo- 



