Gentlemen Riders 



LORD MANNERS 



The Grand National of 1887, won by Lord Manners on 

 Seaman, was a memorable one in more ways than one. To 

 begin with, it was the first time in its history the race had ever 

 been won by a nobleman, and that nobleman, though Master 

 of the Quorn, and one of the hardest riders of the day across 

 Leicestershire, absolutely without experience so far as race- 

 riding was concerned ; this being, in point of fact, his first 

 appearance in the saddle in public. 



Then again the Liberator, Mohican, and Wild Monarch — 

 horses who might at least have been expected to get over the 

 course without mishap — came down during the journey, the 

 last named breaking his leg in so doing. 



Finally, when after a desperate race from the last hurdle, 

 Lord Manners, on a three-legged horse, fairly outrode "Tommy" 

 Beasley, admittedly the finest steeplechase rider of his day, and 

 on his favourite battle-ground, and won on the post by as short 

 a head as ever caught the judge's eye, the onlookers — winners 

 and losers alike — might well set up a cheer, such as is seldom 

 heard even when a favourite wins. 



Barring the weather, which was terrible, the rain coming 

 down in torrents during the race, the winner had a good deal 

 of luck on his side, for besides the mishaps to The Liberator, 

 Wild Monarch, and Mohican, his stable companion, the Scot, 

 who was supported down to 5 to i, fell heavily a mile from 

 home, whilst Eau de Vie, who was greatly fancied by her con- 

 nections, broke a stirrup-leather in landing over Becher's Brook 

 the second time round, and being an awkward animal to ride, 

 bolted out of the course with Mr. Thirlwell. 



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