45 



horses fencing admirably. After negotiating these leps, we 

 turned to the left, and up the road for a short distance. 

 Saunteress about these parts slipped up and destroyed what 

 appeared a very good chance, Star followed her example, 

 and Mr. Irwin rolled out of reach of his legs with a celerity 

 that showed he had not forgotten the rap he got in the 

 first chase. We now went through some open ground 

 with tanks on each side, the water jump being taken by 

 all without a mistake, though some of the riders landed 

 well on their horses' necks. The going now was very good, 

 and Blackwater was still leading the field at a strong pace. 

 A big mud wall here proved disastrous to Mr. Currie ; his 

 mount jumped very big, but his owner was in such a hurry 

 to reach terra jirma that he dismounted in the air. We 

 now turned our heads towards home, and Premier rushed 

 up to the leaders. The Tougall's face now showed great 

 anxiety, as he boldly spurred his gallant black over the 

 next two jumps, after which he pulled back as his mount 

 was done. The last wall now appeared, and Premier led 

 over it by about a length. He, however, was tiring fast, 

 and Skipper and Pilgrim gained rapidly upon him. The 

 welcome red flags now appear, and Premier and Skipper 

 rose at the last hurdle together. Mr. Petrie now appeared 

 to have the race at his mercy. The Irish Lord, however, 

 was not to be done, and, applying his shillelagh with 

 whacks that might have been heard at Government House, 

 he shot Premier to the front and won a magnificent race 

 all out by three quarters of a length, Pilgrim close up 

 third, and if her young owner had only come sooner, 

 he must have nearly secured the coveted trophy. Red 

 Knight was fourth, Manchester fifth, Zil and Cinders 

 next. Much regret was expressed at the Mem Sahib's 

 misfortune, as, at the time of her fall, Saunteress was 

 going so strong and well that it appeared as if the popular 

 win of last year was about to be repeated. 



1884. 



"' Let those now ride who never rode before. 

 ' • And those who always rode row ride the more."' 



The contest for the Cup which took place yesterday 

 brought to a close what has, undoubtedly, been one of 

 the best paperchasing seasons we have ever witnessed. In 



