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1 . NO GRAND NATIONAL THIS YEAR. Lovers of sport under NatfB*J?Ilunt rules all the world over will learn with infinite regret that there will In- no Grand National nexr. Mare-h at Alntree. For seventy-nine years without a single break if we count two seasons in which the race was run at Maghull 1837-38, the Grand National has been decided without intermission at Aintree. and many-people will deplore the coming hiatus even more that they did the absence of the annual "thunderclap of victory" last season at Kpsoiu. The Derby, however, was transferred to Newmarket, and duly run there, but there is no course in this country in any way approaching that over which the Grand National is run, and were a steeplechase to be hilil under that name elsewheTe than at Aintree it would be but a travesty on the world-famous event, which was first won in 1839 by Lottery, and for the last time last spring by Ally Sloper. To those that are enamoured of the cross-country MM.it it will, indeed, come as a blow that thiiv is ; to be no contest for the steeple-chasing "Blue Ribbon" next March over the famous triangular track at Aintree; Cntil a week or two ago Mr. Tophain had hopes that, whatever other races were abandoned, he would be able to bring off the eightieth i Grand National next March. Fate, however, in t he-shape of the general officer commanding the Lancashire district has intervened, the famous course . and stands having been reeptisitioned for military purposes. I understand that every nerve was strained 1 by the executive of the Liverpool meeting to make , arrangements by which the Grand National could lie , run, but the needs of the nation had to be considered i before those of lovers of cross-country sport. Thus , the Grand National, .-is far, at all events, as Aintree is concerned, will not be run next spring. — "Vigilant" in London Sportsman.
