Bell’s Life and the Sporting Chronicle provided a detailed account of the race on Saturday 20th March 1875, the article forming the backbone of the information shown below.
This year the Grand National appeared to have been relegated to the back-burner in punter’s thoughts, despite added prize money being increased to 1000 sovereigns, and even when the weights were published the ante-post betting on the race was not on the same scale as chases at Croydon, Bristol and, more importantly, at the newly opened Sandown Park. Furthermore, flat racing enthusiasts were more attracted to the Lincolnshire Handicap which was contested during the same week as the National. Once Grand National day arrived the usual excited crowd thronged to Aintree, and for the first time the starting post was moved close to the corner of the paddock, significantly reducing the time taken to conduct the parade. At flag fall La Veine, Sparrow and Sailor made the early running, with La Veine leading over the first obstacle from Congress, Sailor and Miss Hungerford. Meanwhile Furley obstinately refused, bringing down Messager. Worse was to follow at the second when Cloncave slipped into the ditch on take-off side, colliding with St Aubyn who, in turn, cannoned off New York, effectively putting paid to the chances of all three. Reaching Becher’s for the first time around, La Veine continued to lead at a married man’s pace, from Congress, with Sparrow and Miss Hungerford in close attendance, with a four length gap back to Marmora and Jackal. Over Valentine’s Brook Congress deprived La Veine of the lead, with Jackal and Pathfinder in immediate pursuit.
It’s now over the John Hanmer in the Stands for the rest of the commentary which is shown below.

Along the canal side Victoire made rapid headway, taking the lead on reaching the inner circle of the racecourse. This order was maintained on reaching the Stand Water, at which point Pathfinder and Marmora landed in advance of Jackal. Well into the final circuit the field had divided opinions at Becher’s, La Veine, Congress and Duc de Beaufort steered to the left, while Victoire, Marmora and Pathfinder went right. It was Victoire who emerged at the head of affairs with a slight lead over Congress and Bar One. On reaching the second hurdle from home Congress cleared it with a sound advantage over Victoire, Dainty and La Veine in a cluster, and for the first time in a long time many were still staking their claim. At the five furlong marker Dainty had worked her way to the fore, although by this stage Victoire had lost all thought of victory. Over the last timber fence the trio of Dainty, Pathfinder and La Veine were in the ait together, the former pair jumping better that La Veine who was now being challenged on the inside rail by Jackal. It was only in the last 50 yards that Pathfinder hit the front, winning by half a length from Dainty, with 3 lengths back to La Veine; Jackal finishing fourth, Marmora fifth and Victoire sixth.

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