THE GRAND NATIONAL. 113 



King and Flatcatcher. At the rails and ditch 

 beyond, Spring, not rising, came down, and getting 

 away from Nightingall, galloped away riderless. 

 As they neared the race-course the pace began 

 to tell fearfully on some of them, Weathercock 

 breaking down badly at the last ; and at this point 

 Gipsy King, too, had finished work for the day. 

 Flatcatcher and Xanthus now raced together for the 

 water in front of the stand, which they cleared 

 simultaneously, closely followed by Anatis, Jean du 

 Ouesne, Half Caste and Ace of Hearts the 

 favourite, who had previously come down at the 

 fence beyond Valentine's, falling bodily into the 

 water. 



Half Caste now showed the way, but was 

 shortly afterwards pulled back in favour of Xanthus, 

 who held the lead until nearing the second fence 

 beyond Becher's, when he came down heavily and 

 broke away loose. 



Half Caste then went to the front once more, and 

 by knocking off a rail when clearing a fence, which 

 got between Flatcatcher's legs, was responsible for 

 the latter's downfall. Thereupon Anatis, availing 

 herself of a nice short cut to the left, took second 

 place, those still in the race being Jean du Ouesne, 

 The Huntsman and Midge. 



