THE GRAND NATIONAL. i6i 



regarded as a soft-hearted horse, the length of whose 

 tether was three miles and no further. 



The fences this year were very much smaller 

 than usual, and this, besides suiting the winner, 

 probably accounted for the few casualties during the 

 race. This proceeding called forth the indignation 

 of a well-known writer in the sporting press, who, 

 whilst lamenting the fact that " Becher's Brook is a 

 brook no longer, Valentine's Brook has disappeared, 

 the water jump in front of the stand is destitute of 

 sensation, and all the fences are of a most easy 

 description," pleads hard for "something that would 

 put an effectual stopper on some of our cast offs from 

 the flat." 



Not the least interesting feature of the race was 

 the wonderful performance of Globule, who, a mere 

 bit of a pony, with the substantial burden of 1 1 st. 

 7 lb. on his back, was not only bang in front all the 

 way, but was only beaten a neck for third place. 



Needless to say the victory of the French grey 

 and cerise jacket was a very popular one, and both 

 Duke " Rufus ' (who threw in for ^ii,ooo, so it 

 was said) and Johnnie Page were warmly con- 

 gratulated after the race. 



