198 



It was not big enough, however, to stop The Tougall, who shot over it 

 and pulled up with a puzzled smile as he observed his nag on the wrong 

 side. As we neared home, the pace got very fast. Skipper racing up to 

 the front. He was, however, unable to live the pace with Ariel and 

 Morning, and the former running rather wide, Mr Simpson passed the 

 flags first by a length from Captain Muir, Skipper, a good third, Lieuten- 

 ant Patrick fourth, Gipsy fifth, Mr. Nosredna was not to be denied 

 his bit. of fun and stood on his head at the last wall right in front of the 

 gallery, who seemed thoroughly to appreciate his jocular mood. 



The course was the best we have had this season^ and the benefi- 

 cial result of avoiding jungle and shortening the course, was amply 

 demonstrated by the closeness of the field at the finish. 



We are afraid that the Xmas festivities proved too much for many 

 sportsmen, as yesterday's field was the smallest we have seen this 

 season. Where were Captain McCausland, The Bummer, Mr. Lawrence, 

 Mr. Lauderdale, Mr. O'Malley, Mr. Bombay, and a heap of others? 

 W^e trust their absence is only of temporary duration. The gallery, 

 however, was in great form, many ladies gracing the scene with their 

 presence. They ought, I am sure, to be very grateful to Mr. Beresford 

 for the fun he afforded them at the start. This gentleman's mount 

 bucked him off most beautifully. Nothing daunted, however, he again 

 mounted, but only to be again sent up like a rocket. Rising from the 

 earth with his beautiful clothes soiled, he, with that indomitable pluck 

 which characterises the Waterford family, and with the assistance of a 

 popular and well-known sportsman, managed to start the mare, who 

 took him the rest of the journey like a bird, bringing him in last^ but by 

 no means least, in the day's performance. 



The start took place to the right of the road just beyond Jodhpore 

 Thanah. The paper was carried by Messrs. Latham and Harbord on 

 Fairlie and a nice-looking brown. We noticed among the starters the 

 Mem Sahib on a powerful grey. Lord William on a coach herse, Mr. 

 Simpson on Morning, Mr. Beresford on his little mare, Messrs. Petrie 

 on Skipper and Sappho, "The Tougall" on Black Water, Mr. Lawyer on 

 Noiram, the Major on Zil, Lord Compton on a brown, Mr. Comer on a 

 black, Mr. Sille on a new chestnut, Mr. Boyd on a moke, Mr. Cochin 

 China on Telescope, Mr Gateacre on Well-Known and Captain Muir 



on a bay. 



The running at the beginning was made by Black Water, Lord 

 William and Skipper. After negotiating the second hurdle, the pace 

 slackened, the going being very heavy. We now went through a small 

 piece of jungle up the road and on the higher ground, the Mem Sahib, 

 Captain Muir, and "The Major " now joining the leaders. Somewhere 



