THE GRAND NATIONAL. 393 



him, but the general public — a large proportion of 

 whom no doubt were attracted to the course in 

 anticipation of the success ot the Royal colours — 

 goes without saying. 



Misfortune began in the morning, when William- 

 son, who was to ride Moifaa in the race, was so 

 badly kicked at exercise by Rainfall, as to render 

 him completely Jiors dc combat for the time being. 

 Birch, who had piloted the New Zealander to 

 victory the previous year, was then wired for, but 

 it being found impossible for him to reach the 

 scene of action in tinie, the mount was given to 

 Dollery. 



That a better selection could not have been made 

 was aoreed on all sides, but, as it turned out, Qrood 

 jockeyship in this case availed but little, Moifaa, 

 who had for the first half of the journey jumped 

 in his usual faultless style, falling from sheer distress 

 at Becher's Brook the second time round. 



Why with several really good jockeys standing 

 down an inexperienced Frenchman should have 

 been selected to pilot Ranunculus, is best known 

 to his owner ; suffice it to say that just before they 

 came on to the race-course the second time the horse 

 looked all over a winner, and the same remark 

 applies to Timothy Titus, who until he fell at the 



