[2] The heavy snow and freezing conditions had put many off and there were only twelve starters including: Cyrus, The Scot, Eau de Vie, Zoedone, Fay and Seaman.

The vendor, an Irishman called Henry Linde, expressed his concerns over the sickly Seaman and didn't believe the horse was capable of such a feat, even if there had been sufficient time in which to train him.

He had limited success until three weeks before the National, when he won the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown, riding a horse called Chancellor.

[3] Eau de Vie was jumping well despite the heavy going and managed to maintain the lead until the second lap when his rider's stirrup broke on the approach to Becher's Brook.

By this time, there were only six runners left as many had retired, and as Eau de Vie swerved off into the crowd, Zoedone took the lead, with Fay, Cyrus, Seaman and The Scot following.