FAMOUS CHASERS AND THEIR RIDERS. 363 



severely cut his other leg as he moved. He was easily defeated 

 in consequence, a remarkable instance of the proverbial slip 

 'tween the cup and the lip. The Colonel's first win was des- 

 perately fought out with a horse called The Doctor. Probably 

 in both these years, however, the fields were above the 

 average. 



Captain Coventry won the race in 1865, a remark made 

 advisedly, for it was sheer horsemanship that got Alcibiade 

 home a head in front of Hall Court. The latter was what is 

 called an 'old-fashioned-looking' horse, of the hunter stamp, 

 and in a desperate finish he was well ridden by Captain 

 Tempest. Captain Coventry, however, rode better still, and 

 victory was the reward, Alcibiade was a sound good horse, a 

 bold and safe jumper, with a sufficient turn of speed to win 

 races. 



Next year's winner, Salamander, was an Irish horse. Mr. 

 Studd saw him, in wretched condition, in a hovel in Ireland 

 with a couple of hunters, and, taken with the animal's make 

 and shape, he bought the three for a small sum, his quest having 

 been for hunters only. The result amply justified this sound 

 judge's opinion. Salamander developed exceptional capacity, 

 and won in a field of thirty, the largest number, with one 

 exception — Abd-el-Kader's first year, when thirty-two went to 

 the post — that ever started. Mr. A. Goodman, who rode with 

 great judgment and perseverance, had ridden a winner. Miss 

 Mowbray, as far back as 1852. Constant practice in the 

 hunting-field and between the flags had taught Mr. Goodman 

 nearly all there wt^s to know about riding. The exhibition of 

 horsemanship was warmly praised-^indeed, one authority 

 declared that 'no professional could put a horse at a fence -as 

 well as Mr. Goodman.' 



A curious circumstance about the race was that Hall Court, 

 w^ho had finished second the year before, and was destined to 

 finish second once more to The Colonel, was second again, 

 though this time without a rider. He got rid of his jockey 

 early in the race, at the first or second fence indeed, and was 



