AND TIMES OF JOHN OSBORNE 221 



away were witnessed, and it was upwards of quarter of 

 an hour behind the stated time when the signal ran 

 along the immense hue of spectators, " They're off!" and 

 the flag was seen to fall. The second string of the 

 Middleham stable (Fisherman) jumped off with the lead, 

 making play at a good pace, Eipponden and Bothwell 

 being close up second and third, having as their followers 

 Blenheim, Digby Grand, SterUng, and King o' the 

 Forest, with Festival and Clotaire leading the remainder. 

 Before quarter of a mile was covered Fisherman 

 increased his lead, and w^as coming along the flat clear 

 of his field, the second division being almost in compact 

 order, and the rear division, who appeared outpaced 

 from the start, being a long way behind. After going 

 half a mile, General held out signals of distress, he 

 being quickly followed in retirement by Blenheim and 

 Clotaire. Fisherman, on descending the hill, had 

 evidently accomplished his task and retired, whereupon 

 the " yellow and scarlet " of Mr. Savile, with Rippon- 

 den, was left in the van, and at one period it looked 

 as though this rank outsider was going to win, but 

 before the cords were reached he retired in favour of 

 the three favourites, Sterling for a short time having 

 the lead. Bothwell, however, soon took command, and 

 althou2:h both Snowden and Cannon rode their horses 

 desperately to overhaul the Middleham champion, each 

 failed, as Johnnie Osborne, apparently at ease on 

 Bothwell, did not call upon him until within fifty strides 

 from home, when he gallantly answered and, stalling off 

 Sterling, won cleverly by a length; three lengths 

 separating second and third; E-ipponden was fourth; 

 Macalpine, fifth; Digby Grand, sixth; Dalnacardoch, 

 seventh; and General, eighth; then following at an 

 interv^al of several lengths Fisherman, Festival, Blen- 



