THE GRAND NATIOxNAL. 265 



The race this year was a memorable one, if only 

 on account of the detestable act of villainy which, 

 elaborately planned and successfully carried out, 

 deprived Count — now Prince — Charles Kinsky of the 

 great chance he unquestionably possessed of winning 

 the Grand National for the second time on his 

 favourite mare, Zoedone. Some days before the 

 race, her owner had been warned by anonymous 

 correspondents that a plot was on foot to make his 

 mare " safe, " and the necessary precautions were at 

 once taken to prevent anything of the sort taking 

 place. Detectives guarded her night and day — 

 in fact, everything was done that could be done. 

 To make doubly sure, it was arranged that, instead 

 of being brought into the crowded paddock, Zoedone 

 should be saddled at the stables, the Count mount- 

 ing her on the course, outside. Unfortunately, as 

 is often the case, the very thing happened they 

 wished to avoid, for when having duly weighed out, 

 the Count and Captain Owen, who was to ride 

 Kilworth, left the paddock to get to their horses 

 as arranged, there was such a crowd all over the 

 course that they couldn't find them for ever so long. 



Doffing his overcoat, Count Kinsky was just 

 about to get into the saddle, when noticing a spot 

 of blood on the white sleeve of his jacket, against 



2 M 



