224 ASHGILL; OR, THE LIFE 



start at 2.56, sixteen minutes after the period for which the race was fixed. The- 

 lot ran in a line for a few strides, and then Queen's Messenger, in the centre 

 of the course, took up the running, followed on the left by Almoner, in close 

 attendance on whom were Xanthus, Laburnum, Landmark, and Wellingtonia, 

 Bethnal Green and Statesman lying well up with the leader, with King Lud 

 and Wenlock next on their whip hand, on the right being Cremorne, Prince 

 Charlie, Helmet, and Lighthouse. The last named dropped away to the rear 

 after going three hundred yards, although the pace was very moderate ; but 

 no other material change occurred until half a mile had been traversed, when 

 both Helmet and Xanthus were done with immediately the speed was slightly 

 improved, and two hundred yards further on Landmark dropped awaj^ and 

 this movement was succeeded by the retirement of both Laburnum and 

 Almoner as they neared the Bushes. In coming over the crest of the 

 hill Queen's Messenger was still leading, but the moment they commenced 

 the descent both Cremorne and Prince Charlie drew up nearly level with 

 Lord Falmouth's colt, and it looked as if the favourite was about to take the 

 command, as he slightly headed Mr. Savile's colt, but Osborne kept him well 

 together, and he did not get fairly in front. At this point of the contest 

 both Wenlock and Bethnal Green showed very prominently, but Statesman 

 failed to maintain his place further, and retired in hopeless difficulties. French 

 had been driving Queen's Messenger along for some little distance, and by doing 

 so he not only kept the lead, but hoped the horse's fine staying qualities would 

 enable him to wear down his opponents ; but the speed to this point had been so 

 inditferent that the two favourites had simply been waiting on him, and the 

 instant they closed up Lord Falmouth's colt was in trouble, and his chance of 

 victory effectually disposed of. King Lud was running a beaten horse, but he 

 struggled on with wonderful gameness, and Wenlock, as they approached the 

 Abingdon Mile dip, looked positively dangerous, so much so, indeed, that his 

 backers shouted excitedly, but he was done with immediately Custance called 

 upon him, as also was Bethnal Green, who ran prominently as they came down 

 the hill. On the retirement of Queen's Messenger Cremorne took the command, 

 having Prince Charlie at his side on the whip hand, and Maidment getting the 

 first run in the Abingdon Mile dip, odds were offered on him as he commenced 

 the rise for home with half a length advantage. The favourite, however, breasted 

 the hill like a lion, and his commanding stride enabled him to get on terms with 

 Cremorne without the slightest exertion, and this advantage still favouring him 

 he forged ahead, and was nearly his length in front about fifty yards from home. 

 As a last effort to avert defeat Maidment called upon Cremorne most vigorously, 

 and so grandly did he answer that he succeeded in diminishing his opponent's 

 advantage rapidly, but Prince Charlie was fully equal to the occasion, and 

 shaking off his opponent's desperate challenge he won very cleverly indeed by a 

 neck. Queen's Messenger struggled on to the end, and just defeated King Lud 

 by a head for place honours, finishing four lengths in the rear of Mr. Savile's 

 colt. Wenlock, close up with King Lud, was fifth, Bethnal Green being sixth, 

 and Wellingtonia seventh, three or four lengths away following at intervals 

 Statesman eighth. Almoner ninth. Landmark tenth, Helmet eleventh, Xanthus 

 twelfth, and Laburnum thirteenth. Lighthouse being absolutely last, beaten off' 

 a long way. The winner was greeted with tremendous cheering on returning to 

 the enclosure, the plaudits being again and again renewed when Osborne had 



