LIVERPOOL loi 



after jumping to the course for the last time, and ran a 

 very creditable fourth to Mathew, the first Irish-bred 

 horse to win the Grand National, and to whom she was 

 giving much weight. 



Mention has already been made of her starting for 

 the Liverpool Grand National, and a curious story went 

 the rounds at the time about Brunette. It appears that 

 the day before the race she experienced a difficulty in 

 swallowing, and the rumour at once spread like wildfire 

 that Brunette was ill. About twelve o'clock the same 

 night, a Mr. Dycer, an old friend of McDonough's, 

 rushed into the latter's bedroom, and anxiously asked, 

 "Is it true Brunette has gone wrong? If so, I shall 

 be ruined. I have ^2000 on her, and to-night I bet 

 another ^2000 that she would start." Mr. McDonough 

 offered the disconsolate caller what little comfort he 

 could, assuring him that at any rate the mare should go 

 to the post, even though it were necessary to carry her 

 there, and Mr. Dycer left, to be followed soon after, 

 however, by the man with whom he had made the 

 bet as to the mare running. The new-comer offered 

 Brunette's jockey ^1000 if the mare did not start, but 

 the doings of the morrow showed how the "tempting 

 offer" was met. 



1848 



Captain Little's "Thie Chandler," 11 st. 12 lb. Owner . i 



Mr. Brettle's "The Curate," II St. 12 lb. . . OUiver . 2 



,, Elmore's "The British Yeoman," II St. 4 lb. Mr. Bevill 3 



Twenty-nine started, including such well - known 

 horses as Mathew, the winner of the previous year, 

 Jerry, Pioneer, and The Sailor. The Irish horse Mathew 

 was going well enough to encourage the expectation of 

 his friends that he would repeat his former victory, when, 

 after going for some distance, he was cannoned against 



