CHASING AND RACING 179 



Stakes in fine fettle, and gave me a splendid " feel " 

 when cantering to the New Mile starting-post. 



I had had a good look at her opponent in the 

 paddock, and was not greatly impressed. He was a 

 washy chestnut, and had a rather shifty eye, but was of 

 good size, and showed considerable quality. 



I had drawn the berth on the rails, and there I 

 stuck from start to finish. The Stockbridge com- 

 bination had a cut at us inside the distance ; but as I 

 kept my eye steadily fixed on home sweet home, I 

 failed to catch even a momentary glimpse of the 

 opposition, for I had a good three lengths to spare at 

 the finish. 



I am told that when Blanc's rider (that accomplished 

 horseman, Arthur Coventry) asked him to go up to 

 Dornroschen his " answer was in the negative ! " A 

 clear case of " I could (perhaps) if I would, but I 

 wouldn't ! " 



After weighing in, and bowing (metaphorically) 

 to showers of congratulations, I strolled on to The 

 Lawn. Immediately cheers broke out from "The 

 Rails." 



" Come over here, Capting," shouted the usually 

 imperturbable Fry ; " we're going to have a statue 

 in gold with diamond spurs erected in your 

 honour." 



" Did they bet ? " I asked. 



" Bet ! I should think they did bet ! Look 

 here ! " And he showed me his volume, where a 



