150 STEEPLECHASING 



Lord Raglan, Purlbrook, Magnum Bonum, Scaltheen, 

 Casse Tete, Lady Geraldine, Cecil, Scots Grey, Bogue 

 Homa, St. Valentine, Alcibiade, Inon, and Dog Fox 

 also started. 



At half-past three the start took place. Despatch 

 and Wild Fox, closely attended by Rufus, immediately 

 rushed to the front, the others being all well together, 

 with the exception of The Colonel and Lord Raglan, 

 both of whom lay some distance in the rear. The first 

 fence was well cleared by all except The Doctor, who 

 stumbled. He lost nearly a hundred yards, but after 

 crossing Becher's Brook drew up on better terms with 

 his horses. Rufus and Wild Fox then took a long lead, 

 and on reaching Valentine's Brook the first time Cecil 

 came in contact with Scots Grey, was knocked down, 

 and never afterwards took any part in the race. Little 

 variation occurred until reaching the race-course, when 

 the horses made for the water jump, and as tliey came 

 nearer the crowd rushed across the course. About three 

 persons were knocked down, and one man sustained 

 rather serious injury. All left in the race jumped the 

 artificial brook without fault, except Scots Grey, who 

 jumped very wildly, and was evidently beaten. On 

 reachinof Becher's Brook the second time The Doctor 

 was beaten and fell back, while Purlbrook fell, and after 

 crossing the ploughed fields on the canal side only The 

 Lamb, Rufus, Despatch, Scarrington, Pearl Diver, and 

 one or two others were left in the race. On entering 

 the race-course the issue was left to The Lamb and 

 Despatch. About half-way up George Waddington 

 began to ride Despatch, while Mr. Thomas sat as still 

 as a statue, and won somewhat easily by two lengths ; 

 four lengths between second and third. Wild Fox 

 broke down, and Lord Raglan broke his leg. Time 

 (Benson's) 9 minutes 35I seconds. Lord Anglesey 

 declared to win with St. Valentine, and Mr. Brayley 



