Bell’s Life and the Sporting Chronicle provided a detailed account of the race on Saturday 30th March 1878, the article forming the backbone of the information shown below.
Newspapers reported this to be one of the tamest Grand Nationals to date, although it did not blame Mr Topham who had increased added prize money to four figures, and had published a programme ‘on a most liberal scale’. Furthermore, the Prince of Wales and his party had left the Lincoln meeting on the Wednesday afternoon as soon as the meeting concluded, Liverpool bound.  The reason for the ‘tameness’ was a dirth of entries from steeplechasers of quality. After the preliminaries had concluded, the field got away at 3.15pm after a couple of breakaways. Shifnal made the early play, accompanied by Miss Lizzie, Martha, Jackal and Curator, but as they made their way into the country Tattoo took to the front despite appearing lame. At the first he took it sideways, causing such confusion that The Bear and His Lordship both fell into the ditch, while Verity and Northfleet refused.
It’s now over the John Hanmer in the Stands for the rest of the commentary which is shown below.

A much reduced field were led to Becher’s by Shifnal, Miss Lizzie and Martha, but Martha had assumed control reaching the post and rails, where Jackal swerved the wrong side of the flag. The pace was pedestrian down the canal side, and continued at a steady gallop until Martha went over the Stand Water at the head of affairs, now showing 3 lengths to the good of Pride of Kildare and Shifnal. The lack of pace meant the field had clustered, less than 100 yards dividing first from last; Shifnal took over again at Valentine’s and led the field into the final mile. From the five furlong post Pride of Kildare ground her way towards Shifnal and Martha, and was seemingly going the best of the trio. At the second flight of hurdles from home her pride was humbled, allowing Martha and Shifnal to go on together. Shifnal seized an advantage at the distance hurdle and went on to win by 2 lengths from Martha, with Pride of Kildare a distance third; Jackal was fourth and Miss Lizzie was the only other to finish in fifth.

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