Bell’s Life and the Sporting Chronicle provided a detailed account of the race on Sunday 2nd March 1856, the article forming the backbone of the information shown below.
This year Mr Topham was emboldened by his success last year and extended the meeting to two days, the feature Grand National being held on Wednesday 27th February 1856. The start took place at 3.20 and was accomplished at the first attempt. The early leaders were Jean du Quesne, British Yeoman, Forest Queen, Emigrant, Victor Emmanuel and The Pasha who jumped the first in a line, whence Forest Queen rushed into the lead. A chapter of accidents commenced at fence two when Victor Emmanuel fell and, despite his reins dangling about his neck, jumped the next few fences admirably. At Beecher’s Brook Harry Lorrequer joined the leaders, but by the time the field reached the turning flag Forest Queen held a commanding lead, Emigrant racing second over Valentine’s Brook, with the severity of the pace starting to tell on many in the rear division. There was no further change until crossing the lane near the canal bridge when the main body drew closer to Forest Queen. Arriving at the hurdle near the distance pole, her lead had diminished to 2 lengths, followed by The Potter and Jean du Quesne. Forest Queen charged the artificial water jump in front of the Stand, with The Potter in close attendance. As they crossed the lane into the starting field The Potter went up to Forest Queen, closely followed by Jean du Quesne and Seaman. Banstead blundered badly at the next, leaving just a small number in with a realistic chance of victory. The two leaders approached the headland to Beecher’s second time round together, but Forest Queen clipped a man trying to make his way up the bank, and began to tire. This left The Potter several lengths clear from Jean du Quesne, Freetrader and British Yeoman.
It’s now over the John Hanmer in the Stands for the rest of the commentary which is shown below.

There was little further change until they reached the extreme turning flag, when Mr Goodman, aboard Yeoman, took a line to the left, using this short cut to get on terms with The Potter. They crossed Valentine’s in unison, but The Potter dropped his hind-quarters into the next ditch and his chances began to decline. Crossing the lane, Yeoman looked dangerous, but broke down in his off fore leg on the flat leaving Seaman, Emigrant, Minerva and Forest Queen to the forefront of the action, followed by the fast finishing Hopeless Star and Minos. Jumping the final hurdle Minerva overreached herself and became entangled in the hurdle, dragging it with her for a couple of strides. This left Freetrader to surge ahead and win by a length from Minerva, with Minos, who came with a tremendous rush in front of the Stand, to finish half a length behind in third; Hopeless Star was fourth, Little Charley a respectable fifth and Emigrant a bad sixth.

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