i66 THE GRAND XATIOXAL. 



hardly recognisable, no one could help but admire 

 his pluck in reappearing in the saddle so soon 

 afterwards, 



A feature of the race was Fan's determined refusal 

 at the second fence, and as Mr. Barber's mare went 

 through the identical performance at the very same 

 place the following year, the obstacle in question was 

 forthwith christened Fan s Fence, by which name it 

 has been known ever since. 



Just before the next race an animated scene 

 occurred, the wind, which was very high at the 

 time, blowing down a gambling" tent in which were 

 assembled some of the cHite of the visitors, the 

 attendants and police having all their work cut 

 out to settle with the crowd of roughs who at once 

 collected like a swarm of bees. 



It may be mentioned that in order to settle once 

 and for all the long-vexed question as to the exact 

 distance over which the Grand National was run, 

 Mr. Topham had it properly measured beforehand, 

 with the result that it was found to be exactly thirty 

 yards short of four and a-half miles. 



