FAMOUS CHASERS AND THEIR RIDERS. 357 



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 was 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, 

 who 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 



