Bell’s Life and the Sporting Chronicle provided a detailed account of the race on Sunday 6th March 1853, the article forming the backbone of the information shown below.
The oi polloi associated with the Grand National has always been a great attraction, and the immense crowds that wended their way to the scene of the action afforded satisfactory proof that the race has lost none of its popularity. The start took place at precisely 4.25 pm when Maurice Daley immediately showed in advance, leading over the first fence, Bourton being second, closely followed by Field Marshall, Peter Simple and Sir Peter Laurie. In the second field Bourton exchanged places with Maurice Daley, the former leading over the second and third leaps before Peter Simple went to the front. At the third post and rails fence Victress refused and turned round to interfere with The General who was thrown completely to the rear. The chapter of accidents grew when Betsy Prig, The Dwarf and Poll all fell, making a gap in the rail which the remounted Victress proceeded to go through. Approaching Beecher’s Brook Peter Simple swerved and, had it not been for Sir Peter Laurie giving him a gently nudge, would have missed the flag altogether. With the exception of Crabbs running in third place, after rounding the extreme turning flag, no change occurred in the positions of the leading contenders. Approaching Valentine’s Brook, by the canal side, Abd el Kader put on steam and rushed passed Peter Simple, Crabbs passing at the same time. After Valentine’s, having got to the grass headland in the lead, Abd el Kader increased his advantage to nearly 100 yards, followed by Crabbs, Carrig, Peter Simple, Oscar and Miss Mowbray. He maintained his lead over the next few fences and approached the artificial water jump in front of the Grand Stand with a diminished lead of 40 yards as he continued across the flat.
It’s now over the John Hanmer in the Stands for the rest of the commentary which is shown below.

Directly after leaving the Water jump Carrig took the lead from Abd el Kader, while Peter Simple renewed his interest near the front. The field continued over Beecher’s and Valentine’s second time around, after which the large piece of plough began to take its toll, Carrig falling back, Crabbs dead beaten from sheer distress, leaving Peter Simple and Abd el Kader at the head of affairs. In the straight Abd el Kader had given his all, while Oscar and Miss Mowbray closed in on Peter Simple. Near the hurdle at the distance Peter Simple, Miss Mowbray and Oscar were in the air together, Oscar knocking down the hurdle. Half way up the distance Oscar’s fate was sealed, while Miss Mowbray was also showing distress signs, leaving Peter Sipmple to draw away a gallant winner by 4 lengths from Miss Mowbray, with a further 4 lengths back to Oscar in third. Sir Peter Laurie finished fourth, Abd el Kader fifth and The General sixth. The pace was moderate throughout, accounted for by the heaviness of the ploughed land, the winner’s time was 10 minutes 37.5 seconds.

I am very grateful to John Pinfold for the picture shown below. I can recommend Gallant Sport and An Aintree Dynasty, both written by John Pinfold. To purchase a copy of either book go to the Amazon Grand National store shown below.
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