RACING 



Italian at his quarters. Just at this point BoUngbroke looked 

 formidable ; but in another hundred yards he began to hang 

 towards the rails, and Marson, seeing at a glance that he would 

 be shut out, promptly shot his horse through the gap and took 

 the lead at the distance, Russborough being handy on the off- 

 side. Half way up the distance Marson steadied his horse, who 

 seemed to be in slight difficulties from the severe pace, and just 

 when he got him extended again Jim Robinson, with a well- 

 timed effort, swooped down upon Marson, and after a thrilling 

 finish made a dead heat. 



' As Russborough was nearest to the Judge the great 

 majority of spectators thought that he had won, and when the 

 fielders learnt the decision their joy knew no bounds. 



' The two antagonists made their way back to the enclosure, 

 and were keenly scrutinised as their jockeys dismounted and 

 unsaddled them. Some strong suspicions were expressed that 

 Russborough was a four-year-old, and an examination of his 

 mouth was demanded by Lord Zetland. The horse was 

 examined by Mr. George Holmes, the well-known veterinary 

 of Thirsk, and by Mr. J. Shaw of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, who 

 pronounced him all right. A little after five, when all the other 

 races were over, the two champions of the day were again seen 

 approaching the enclosure in their sheets. Robinson jumped 

 into the pigskin with a jaunty air, and a whisper went round 

 that he was going to make it hot for the Richmond-trained 

 horse, by forcing the running. Marson then came out from 

 the weighing house, looking very pale but full of quiet con- 

 fidence, and mounted his horse on the course. Another 

 canter, and another parade, and the two were again alongside 

 Mr. Hibburd, the starter, waiting for the signal. Robinson 

 at once showed that his cutting down intentions had not been 

 misrepresented. The moment that the flag dropped he was 

 off like a shot, and Marson as quickly got Voltigeur on his legs 

 and laid off two lengths. The pace quickened as they rose the 

 hill, and the fielders were in high hopes that the two lengths 

 would become four when the T. Y. C. post was reached. They 



255 



