THE GRAND NATIONAL. 297 



Ten of the original sixteen cleared the water, 

 over which M.P. showed the way to Ilex and 

 Fireball, the last horse havino- retrieved his place 

 from being the last during the first mile. 

 Voluptuary was next, heading Emperor, Pau and 

 Fetiche, 



Going into the country the second time Ilex 

 joined M.P., the pair being clear of Fireball, 

 Brunswick and Pau, while Emperor dropped back 

 last of all except Battle Royal. At the rail fence 

 Fetiche came down heavily. Approaching Becher's 

 Voluptuary improved his position, ALP. going along 

 the canal side a length clear of Ilex, who was in 

 turn three lengths in front of Fireball, Voluptuary 

 and Brunswick. 



At Valentine's the last named dropped away, and 

 Ilex took up the running clear of M.P. and Pau, 

 with Voluptuary next (Fireball having come to 

 grief), vvhile Brunswick brought up the rear. 



At the ditch fence Voluptuary was closing up, 

 but came down, and Pau took second place to Ilex, 

 M.P. lying third. 



After jumping on to the race-course M.P. began 

 to drop astern, and Pau being done with at the 

 second fence from home the favourite went on and 

 won at his leisure by twelve lengths. M.P., who 



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