CHAPTER XLIV 



TYPES ON A RACECOURSE 



New Hands and Old Hands — Follow the Leader — Charles Hibbert — 

 Biggest Professional Backer — Charles Hannam — Sudden Crazes 

 — Betting as a Last Resource — Goudie and Others — Bank 

 Defalcations 



Racecourses are generally very delightful to a man 

 or a woman who either professionally or for pleasure or 

 for profit of some sort — whether to health or pocket — 

 goes to race-meetings regularly. One of the greatest 

 delights is to go out into the paddock and greet 

 acquaintances or friends. From your regular race-goer 

 there is always a different greeting to that from the 

 casual visitor who does not quite know the ropes. 

 The latter will say, sort of under his breath : " Hallo, 

 what are you doing here ? " — which is as ridiculous as 

 his lack of knowledge. One half of the world seems to 

 use this expression, in a surprised sort of way that 

 one person can possibly be existing in the same atmos- 

 phere as the other. It is not always meant, but some 

 of those smug amateurs go to a race-meeting as if they 

 were rather ashamed of it, and are quite surprised if 

 they see one of their acquaintances walking about 

 quite naturally : they are bad sailors hiring a yacht. 

 To old hands, however, both men and women, there is 

 simply a delight in comparing notes as regards the card. 

 We all know the different types. 



There is the woman always asking for tips, and there 

 is the woman who delights in giving them. There is 

 the man without the courage of his convictions and who 

 endeavours to hear all he can so that he may hear too 



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