196 CHASING AND RACING 



issue for all concerned. Of course I was in the swim, 

 for George and his excellent father were ever ready to 

 " slip me over the goods ! " 



But an evil " hoodoo " was lurking round the 

 corner. Literally so, for on the field emerging from 

 the paddock, which is situated at the back of the 

 stands, and therefore out of view of the crowd, a mad 

 brute called Galloping Dick, belonging to Douglas 

 Baird, and ridden by Freddie Pratt, suddenly bolted 

 and barged into Dornroschen, catching her fairly on 

 the flank, and sending her and her jockey Allsopp 

 to the ground, where they lay with all the wind 

 knocked out of them. It was quite three minutes 

 before the filly was on her feet again and Allsopp in 

 the saddle. Meanwhile George and I, who were in 

 the stand, were wondering where on earth Dornroschen 

 could be, for the rest of the field were already at the 

 post. My companion was just about to start on a 

 voyage of discovery when we viewed our hope and joy 

 being led along the back stretch. 



We could not make it out. 



Had the full significance of the contretemps been 

 known to the Ring, it is reasonable to suppose that the 

 bonnie chestnut would have " gone out with the 

 washing," but as it was, the price did not lengthen. 



At last they were off ! As the field swung round 

 into the straight, with its rather short run in, it was seen 

 that Dornroschen was leading on the rails and ap- 

 parently going easily ; but close home she was tackled 



