Bell’s Life and the Sporting Chronicle provided a detailed account of the race on Sunday 7th March 1858, the article forming the backbone of the information shown below.
After significant snow had fallen in Liverpool leading up to the appointed day of the National, it was decided that an attempt would be made to reschedule the race on Saturday 6th March 1858. Mr Topham arrived at the course at 7pm on Friday evening and declared his belief that, by removing any accumulated snow, there was no impediment to running the next afternoon. Of the original 22 acceptances, 16 sported silks in the rearranged race. Although the horses trooped to the start amidst a snow flurry, at 4.02 the flag was dropped and the race was underway. All cleared the first, but Abd el Kader toppled over at the second as Conrad, Xanthus, Harry Lorrequer and Weathercock set the early pace. Over Beecher’s Brook first time round Conrad remained at the head of affairs, while Claudius refused when behind. No significant change as Valentine’s came in to view, Conrad crossing with a slender lead from Harry Lorrequer, 4 lengths in advance of Weathercock and Xanthus. Half-way along the canal side Harry Lorrequer took up the running, a lead which was short-lived because Conrad regained the initiative crossing the lane and joining the racecourse proper. There was a 10 length gap between these two leaders and Little Charley.
It’s now over the John Hanmer in the Stands for the rest of the commentary which is shown below.

The field rattled towards the artificial water jump in front of the Stands, Conrad bounding along beautifully with an undiminished lead from Little Charley, Weathercock and Xanthus. It was evident that Conrad was fast compounding, and equally noticeable that Treachery and Black Bess were creeping ever closer. At the next Treachery over-reached, although Black Bess was pulling double, meaning Conrad was leading on sufferance. After rounding the extreme turning flag Lough Bawn refused and floored Harry Lorrequer, while Xanthus also made a slight mistake. Black Bess fell on her head at the next ditch while looking every inch the winner, and by Valentine’s the race clearly rested between Weathercock, Conrad and Little Charley. Reaching the distance is was difficult to predict who would prevail, until Little Charley stayed on better to forge clear by 4 lengths. Weathercock saved his owner’s stake, with Xanthus in third and Morgan Rattler fourth.

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