A GREAT MATCH 



tion from some Malton stable-lad at that moment 

 in the little back parlour discussing a plate of 

 corned beef and a horn of October ale. The present 

 race-course is situate about a mile from the city 

 on the Tadcaster Road, and is known as the 

 Knavesmire. Here were estabhshed races as far 

 back as 1709, in which year the citizens made a 

 collection with which they purchased five plates 

 for competition, while, according to the historian 

 Drake, four years later " the King's Gold Cup was 

 procured to be run for." ^ The course is a mile 

 and six furlongs and rather over fifty yards round ; 

 and, being in the form of a horseshoe, is considered 

 one of the best in England, as the spectators can 

 stand and witness the horses running round them. 

 Throughout the winter and early spring tongues 

 wagged and pens wrote concerning the probable 

 issue of the great match and the manner in which 

 it would be run. Match-riding in those days was 

 understood ; in recent years it has become a lost 

 art. One prophetic scribe opined that the Dutch- 

 man would go away and run the four-year-old 

 down as soon as they reached the turn — the famous 

 spot where an Archbishop of York, having stolen 

 from his adjoining palace of Bishopthorpe, is said 

 to have been discovered by his chaplain on a race 

 day slyly peeping through the hedge at the horses 

 running on the Knavesmire — the chaplain, be it 

 said, being equally interested in the proceedings. 

 From that point it was anticipated that Voltigeur 

 would make his effort and win the match. On 

 the other hand, there were sound judges who, 



' Strictly, Drake should have called it the Queen's Cup, as at 

 that date Queen Anne was on the throne. 



57 



