THE GREAT LANCASHIRE STEEPLECHASE 



forgive you if you don't jump off in front, and if you 

 are blamed by the starter I will be responsible.' The 

 lad did what he was told as far as he was able, and had 

 the starter allowed him to get well away I verily believe 

 he would have won, in spite of the fact that he was 

 absolutely inexperienced and was competing against all 

 the best jockeys of the day. It was unlucky that the 

 starter did not let the horses go when they were fairly 

 well lined up, as it was a three and a half mile race. 

 The boy jumped off as told to do, but from the distance 

 I saw the starter ride up to him and evidently curse him 

 for what he considered his undue haste. This happened 

 three times. The third time I thought Legge would 

 never be able to stop the horse ; but they waited till he 

 came back, and before he could turn round the flag was 

 dropped. 



When Legge did get his horse round he lost no 

 time. He was fourth approaching the first fence, 

 fourth as he passed the stand, fourth as he passed it again 

 the first time round, and fourth in finally passing the 

 winning post! It was really a distinctly good perform- 

 ance on the part of the lad, but when I tell you that he 

 was no jockey, that indeed he would never have become 

 one, you can understand why it was I thought we were 

 unlucky not to win the race, as I am convinced we 

 certainly should have done had Mason ridden ; in fact 

 so much had Leamington in hand that I thoroughly 

 believe he would still have won had the lad been able to 



L l6l 



