THE TRAGEDY OF ASCOT 45 



Achilles' girths with Bachelor's Button close up in 

 advance of St. Denis. 



At the distance Pretty Polly was carried out very 

 wide indeed by Achilles, who was dropping back beaten, 

 and this must have cost her several lengths. 



Pretty Polly then went on from Bachelor's Button, 

 and it was then seen that the issue lay between the two. 



For a few strides she led by half a length or more, 

 and looked like coming away and winning in her usual 

 form, but Bachelor's Button stuck to her with bulldog 

 tenacity, and it was soon seen that it would be a race. 



A hundred yards from home Bachelor's Button drew 

 to the front. 



Pretty Polly struggled on with the courage of a lion, 

 but as they passed the stands a second time it was seen 

 that Bachelor's Button would almost inevitably win. 



The great mare had done her utmost, striving on 

 with all against her, with the pace forced for Bachelor's 

 Button by St. Denis, and even when he was beaten, 

 with Achilles continuing the running and giving her 

 no quarter, carried out at the turn for home, and with 

 that tiring hill to ascend at the finish, probably the 

 severest finish in the world. 



Right valiantly she struggled on, game to the end, 

 but the latent physical want of her highest point of 

 vitality had told its tale on her at Ascot as at Long- 

 champ. 



