AND THE DUKES OF BIGHMOND. 89 



the coppice in great danger for some time before she 

 could be secured. 



The door from which she made her escape was so 

 small that it appeared almost impossible for her to 

 pass through it. This is one of the endless mis- 

 chances with which trainers have to contend. 



The Duke, accompanied by Lord John Fitzroy, 

 came upon the scene when my father, with assistance, 

 was endeavouring to capture the filly, which was 

 not an easy matter, as she thoroughly enjoyed her 

 liberty amongst the trees and underwood. The sight 

 induced Lord John Fitzroy to offer the Duke £50 to £1 

 against her for the Oaks. His Grace replied, " I will 

 take it to £5 ; being got by a winner of the 2000 

 guineas, and out of a winner of the Oaks, she surely 

 ought to be worth backing for a fiver at that price." 

 His Grace then said to my father, " You had better 

 stand a sovereign in the bet ; " which he said that he 

 should be very pleased to do. This bet was quite 

 forgotten by my father till his Grace reminded him 

 of it after the race, greatly to my father's surprise 

 and delight. 



As I have previously stated. Lord Stradbroke was 

 very cautious, and was very confident of winning 

 before he speculated in his moderate way by a little 

 betting. Although Gulnare had won twice at New- 

 market, he did not feel disposed to back her for the 

 Oaks, unless she could beat Link Boy (four-year- 



