Running Commentary on a Point-to-Point 



up. He's fifth, he's fourth, he's third, he's mad. Does 

 he mean to lead with a green horse over the biggest 

 leap in the country ? The two leaders are abreast. 

 He's using his whip, he's gaining, he's stark crazy. 

 Now he's wedged between them . . . coming to the river 

 . . . thundering at it together . . . he's into it ... No, 

 be the lord Harry ! he's over ! ! Me bould man, 

 Jamesy ! 



Mary Ellen, did you ever see the bate of that for 

 cleverness ? Wedged his young horse between two ould 

 stagers so that he couldn't swerve at the water jump. 

 That's what you may call a bit of classic riding but 

 sure it's not off the bushes he licked it. 



Bedad, I didn't see the two jockeys in the water till 

 now; but sure there's still five more in the race. 



That's the big double, the second fence over on the 

 hill; when they clear that they turn for home. I'd 

 rather see Jamesy staying a bit closer to the leaders; 

 himself and a grey are the last two in the race. Oh Oh ! 

 someone's crashed at the double that leaves four if 

 the loose horse doesn't knock The Holy Terror. 



Me bould Holy Terror doesn't want to be knocked, 

 sure he doesn't, Mary Ellen ? See the way he tackled 

 that double ? The grey and himself are moving up 

 now. Three fences more and they'll be into the straight. 

 Be the lord Harry ! Isn't he going great guns entirely ? 

 Two fences now and not a length between the four o' 

 them : you could cover them all with your handkerchief. 



The last fence. Mary, darling, the last fence ! Lord 

 bless me, if I hadn't rheumatics how I'd love to run 

 over and cheer that gossoon in green. The grey and 



97 



