Ninety-eight years ago the first Grand National then, and for many years afterwards, known as the "Liverpool Steeplechase," was run at Aintree. Few of those who cheered Lottery home could have foretold what popularity and importance the "Blue Riband" of cross-country sport would attain.
Now the most valuable race of its kind li the world, it is to the National Hunt enthusiast what the Derby is to the devotee of racing under Jockey Club rules.
The rage has provided romantic ahd sensational episodes and in dents, having been won by horses which were, or could have been purchased in their young days for the proverbial "song."
Favourite Topic The list of "National" winners includes the names of most of the chasing champions of the past, and old racegoers still like to talk over among themselves the respective merits of Cloister, Manifesto and Jerry M.
Manifesto had a splendid record. In additión to winning the world's greatest steeplechase in 1897 and ANOTHER VICTORY 4159, ne ünished third, in 1900, 1902
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.