LIVERPOOL 145 



minutes after three o'clock, Gardener and The Elk 

 making the running", while in accordance with George 

 Stevens' usual practice he lay behind, being last with 

 the exception of Middleton. Without any material 

 change of position they jumped the first fence ; and to 

 the general surprise Fan jumped the second, which had 

 altered its appearance by reason of being railed off and 

 roped ; but she refused the third, and was thus early 

 thrown out of the race altogether, Guy of Warwick 

 and O.C. beinof the first over. At Becher's Brook, 

 Middleton refused, and rounding the turn into the 

 ploughed field to the course The Elk was leading by 

 several lengths, but on reaching the course the pulling 

 Primrose had drawn into second position, and the two 

 named jumped on to the course nearly abreast. At the 

 gorsed hurdles, Primrose, Q.C., Tathwell, Surney, Guy 

 of Warwick, and The Doctor took close order, though 

 on approaching the last hurdle before reaching the water 

 jump opposite the grand stand, Guy of Warwick ran 

 all across the course, but afterwards took the jump 

 kindly enough, Q.C., Surney, Tathwell, and Primrose 

 were the first over the artificial water jump, but the 

 others soon followed without a fault, except old Hall 

 Court, who seemed hopelessly beaten and was shortly 

 afterwards pulled up. At the second fence, the second 

 time round, Casse Tete also refused, the lead at this 

 time being held by O.C. and Primrose. All getting 

 over the brook without any mishap, they began to 

 take close order, when Stevens brought up The Colonel, 

 who soon took up a leading position, and on entering 

 the course the front rank included The Colonel, The 

 Doctor, and Primrose, to whom the race seemed con- 

 fined, barring accidents. On entering the straight run 

 home Primrose looked dangerous, but soon tired, when a 

 splendid race took place between The Doctor and The 

 Colonel, who ran a very punishing finish home, ending in 



K 



