203 



The many festivities which are now taking place are, we fear, 

 beginning to tell their tale, as the number of absentees from these chases 

 is increasing It is impossible to sit up till 2 a.m., day after day without 

 becoming more or less of a wreck, as many wan faces and weak seats 

 yesterday morning amply testified. We heard one sportsman state that 

 he had no time for more than one ride a week and that was at the 

 paperchases. How, he asked plaintively, was he to get his horse fit ? 

 We comforted him by reminding him that the peaceful time of Lent was 

 rapidly approaching and horse-trainmg would then be easy. 



We were glad to see that the best jumper in the show last week was 

 that fine paperchaser The Skipper, and we must congratulate his owner 

 on his success ; it was a treat on the swagger day of the show to see this 

 horse stride over the leps well piloted by his owner. 



The chase yesterday was very devoid of excitement, spills being 

 quite the exception 



W^e noticed among the starters the Mem Sahib on Saunteress, Mr. 

 Pedestrian on Cinders, Lord William on Premier, Mr. Sille on a bay, 

 Mr. Simpson on Morning, Mr Lauderdale on Night, Mr. Petrie on The 

 Skipper, Mr St. Quintin on Something, Captain Haines on a nice-looking 

 bay, Mr. Adjutant on Star, Mr. AUthere on Remyat, Major FitzGerald 

 on his nice-looking bay, Mr. Premier on The Goat, The Doctor, Captain 

 Rochfort and Mr. Harbord, all on nice-looking hunters, Mr. Beresford 

 on Zoe, Mr. Sniktaw on Rona (who appears to have lost all the brilliant 

 form she showed last season), Mr. Ross on Rob Roy, and the usual ruck. 



The paper was carried by Captain Muir and Lord Alwyn The start 

 took place near the Old Kennels and then the line went straight away to 

 the right through some very cramped country, the running being 

 made by Zoe, Captain Haines and Saunteress. As we came into 

 the open near the Sheep-pens the jumps became numerous, two stiff 

 doubles proving stoppers to many. A mud wall brought Mr. Sille 

 to grief, who hung on to his nag's neck for several seconds un- 

 decided whether to go on or tumble off suddenly. However, 

 observing that the ground was soft, he went to earth like a common 

 ball and lay on his back with his legs in the air till he found no 

 bones were broken The course now wound into the galloping lane, the 

 Mem Sahib now being at the head of affairs, Cinders, Zoe, Captain 

 Haines lying next. After crossing the road the Mem Sahib, who was 

 leading easily, ran up an unnecessary bank, which utterly destroyed her 

 chance. The Skipper now rushed to the front and led the field a merry 

 chase till near home when he missed the paper for a moment. This 

 proved disastrous to him, as Cinders and Zoe rushed passed him and 

 ran a grand race in, the former, in spite of Mr. Beresford's vigorous 

 finishing, passing the flags first by half a length. Skipper a similar distance 

 off third, Captain Haines fourth, the Mem Sahib fifth. 



