162 THE POST AND THE PADDOCK. 



The Chifueys made no excuse for the horse on the 

 score of condition, as they believed him to be some 

 pounds better than he had been on the Derby day; and 

 it was apparent to his backers that sound ground would 

 have made all the difference, Hence Mr. Tattersall 

 made an offer to run him against Birmingham over 

 the same course at even weights on the Friday, and 

 lay 2,000 to 1,000 on him, or to run him for 

 1,000 even, A.F. at Newmarket in the First Spring, 

 and give 31bs. ; but both these offers were declined. 



After a day's rest, Priam was all fresh again ; and 

 with 2 to 1 on him, and receiving -nly 51bs. for his 

 year from Retriever, beat the latter q^ite easily in a 

 500 sovs. (h. ft.) match at a mile and a half. This 

 defeat sent Retriever to 20 to 1 for the Cup, which 

 he won from Medora, Laurel, Fleur-de-lis, See., 011 

 the next day ; and caused Lord Glasgow to fall back 

 on Harry Edwards for an explanation of his horse's 

 running in the match, and to make proposals for an- 

 other at Newmarket in the spring, which eventually 

 went off by consent. About the November of this 

 year, Mr. Payne and Will Chifney had some nego- 

 tiations about Priam; but, fortunately for Will, who 

 was not indisposed to sell for 2,000 guineas, they 

 also fell through. He had lost none of his form 

 when the doors of the Newmarket Stands and 

 Rubbing Houses once more creaked, after a winter's 

 idleness, on their rusty hinges ; and with Robinson on 

 him, won both the Craven Stakes and the Port. In 

 the former of these races he beat a field often, among 

 whom was Tranby, who distinguished himself so much 

 in Mr. Osbaldeston's 200 mile match in the Novem- 

 ber of that year. Sir Sandford Graham was rather 

 sweet on him about this time, but he thought too 

 long about it; and Lord Chesterfield who then 

 owned his half-brother by Middleton, and had got 

 back Zinganee from the Royal Stud purchased him 

 fqr 3,000 guineas the evening after he had won the 



