ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT, 285 



There were three starters ; two tried the shortest way, but the 

 third, who took a circuitous route, won by a mile, a sufficiently 

 decisive victory. 



Men ventured large sums on the ability of their horses to 

 cross a country. Thus, about 1824 or 1825, there was a steeple- 

 chase match between Captain Horatio Ross and Lord Kennedy 

 for 4,000/. over a course already named, from Barkby Holt to 

 the Coplow. Captain Douglas rode for Lord Kennedy, Captain 

 Ross rode his own horse, and won. The match was probably 

 made over the dinner-table, as was the first steeple- chase 

 on Burton Flat, since then the scene of so many encounters. 

 The match in question was arranged at a dinner at the Old 

 Club, Melton. Captain Ross expressed his willingness to back 

 a really good mare he then had, called Polecat, against any 

 animal in England at fourteen stone for 2,000/,, he himself 

 riding. Mr. Gilmour, who was no gambler — indeed, hardly ever 

 betted — offered to take up the challenge and run for the more 

 moderate sum of 100/. The match was accordingly made, Mr. 

 Gilmour naming Plunder, a horse he had already ridden in a 

 match against Captain Ross, which has been described, though 

 not quite accurately, by Dick Christian in ' Silk and Scarlet.' 



On this occasion Messrs. Maxse and Maher, who then lived 

 at the Old Club, were asked to choose the line. The start was 

 on the south side of the river Wreake, i.e. the opposite side to 

 Melton, about half a mile short of Burbidge's covert ;.the finish 

 was in a field close to Adcock's lodge, five miles on the Oak- 

 ham Road. Field Nicholson, a steeple-chasing farmer, rode 

 for Mr. Gilmour — who was not able to get down to the weight 

 — and won very easily. 



In these early days the competitors were usually two or 

 three in number, and the St. Albans steeple-chase in March 

 5831 was a notable event. It was won by Moonraker, who 

 had been bought for 18/, with his sinews quite callosed from 

 hard work, out of a water-cart ; but he could jump undeniably, 

 and cleared the Holloway Lane in the course of an exercise 

 canter. 



