ORGANISED STEEPLECHASJNG 67 



Phosphorus {T. Olliver), Mr. Barker's The Queen 

 (Owner). 



There was but Httle betting on the ground. Con- 

 servative took the lead over the first fence, which 

 Phosphorus refused, but subsequently jumped it and 

 closed up. At the end of about the fourth field the 

 horses came to a regular trap, consisting of a broad 

 ditch with a deep drop on the other side. The Queen 

 took it in advance and in her stride, but Phosphorus 

 and Vandyke fell. Ringleader soon after became the 

 leader, and was first into the lane, and here the horses 

 were all together, the riders evidently not knowing what 

 course to steer; but Barker, on The Queen, made for 

 a gap, resumed the lead and showed the way over 

 some formidable fences and heavy land to the turning 

 flag. Again the jockeys were at fault and looking 

 for the flag, but Jem Mason at length made play 

 followed by the others, all, however, soon finding out 

 that they were too much to the left. They then re- 

 crossed into the lane. The Queen tumbling into it 

 without, however, unseating her rider. Vandyke was 

 first out of the lane, but the others appeared to be in 

 difficulties, and the riders were straggling about to 

 catch a view of the flags. Vandyke was cannoned 

 against by "a person on horseback" and knocked over, 

 but scrambled up again and went on. In making 

 towards the flag near to the London road Vandyke 

 was leading, but instead of turning short round, and 

 then pursuing a straight course home, McDonough 

 went about eighty yards too far, which gave The Queen 

 her place, she being nearly one hundred yards in 

 advance. At the last fence Vandyke was well up with 

 The Queen, and when within a short distance from 

 home McDonough drew up and won by about a length. 

 Phosphorus being third. The riders complained of 

 the " deceitfulness " of the country, and the difficulty 



