Before the race, Tipperary Tim's amateur jockey, William Dutton, heard a friend call out to him, "Billy boy, you'll only win if all the others fall!

[2] As the field approached the Canal Turn on the first circuit, Easter Hero fell, causing a pile-up from which only seven horses emerged with seated jockeys.

By the penultimate fence this number had reduced to three, with Great Span leading ahead of Billy Barton and Tipperary Tim.

Great Span's saddle then slipped, leaving Billy Barton in the lead until he too fell.

Although Billy Barton's jockey Tommy Cullinan managed to remount and complete the race, it was Tipperary Tim who came in first at outside odds of 100/1.