THE NATIONAL HUNT 



favourite at 8 to i. Prior to Warwick he had run at 

 Hurst Park against the Liverpool winner of 1906, 

 Ascetic's Silver, but had fallen in the race. Two more 

 fancied animals were Wychwood and Glen Rex, who 

 finished first and third, Major Purvis on Our Philip 

 intervening. 



Gloom at any rate safely completed the course, 

 the judge placing eight on that occasion, of which 

 number Mr. Bibby's was last. Glen Rex belonged to 

 Lady Walker, wife of Sir Peter Walker, who was such 

 an enthusiastic patron of 'cross country sport, enjoying 

 it all the more as his horses were trained in his own 

 park, I happened to have been staying at Osmaston 

 shortly before the race, and know what a high opinion 

 was entertained of this son of Enthusiast of Glen- 

 vannon. But the National Hunt usually takes a great 

 deal of winning. In 1900 when Nimble Kate won, 

 Mr. Bibby ran nothing, nor did he send anything to the 

 post in 1 90 1 when the race was transferred to Chelten- 

 ham, and a huge field of thirty-eight competed, a record 

 number. The Cheltenham course had been reorganised, 

 and particular interest attached to the gathering. From 

 the hill on which the stands are built a perfect view is to 

 be had of the entire contest, except when the horses are 

 at the back of the buildings ; and those visitors who 

 are privileged to watch from a tower room devoted to 

 the Stewards and their friends are able to see ever}' 

 fence. What they did see on this occasion was a great 



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