158 STEEPLECHASING 



On starting Solicitor rushed to the front, but on 

 reaching the first fence was passed by Congress. At 

 the second fence Casse Tete's bridle broke, and slipped 

 off the mare's head ; Congress still continued to forge 

 ahead, and on entering the course approaching the water 

 jump had a strong lead. All cleared the artificial brook 

 in good style, with the exception of True Blue. On 

 entering the country for the second time New York took 

 up the running, followed by Rhysworth, Congress, Alice 

 Lee, and Disturbance, and at the fence before reaching 

 Becher's Brook the favourite (Footman) was knocked 

 down and Cinderella refused the leap. On reaching the 

 canal side the field consisted only of Disturbance, Rhys- 

 worth, Columbine, Alice Lee, and Master Mowbray. 

 Mr. Richardson, knowing that Rhysworth was a " thief" 

 (possibly as the result of his tremendous race with Bella- 

 donna as a two-year-old), sent Disturbance alongside 

 Mr. Chaplin's horse, and raced against him every yard 

 of the way. On entering the course Mr. Richardson 

 took a pull at his horse, and found, on reaching the 

 straight, that he had the race in hand, and he eventually 

 cantered in an easy winner by six lengths, ten lengths 

 dividing second and third. The pace was very fast 

 throughout. It was only a few months since Captain 

 Machell and Mr. Chaplin, whose horses were first and 

 second, were running in confederacy. There were 

 several mishaps during the race. At the second fence 

 at the second time round Footman had cleared the fence, 

 and stumbled, when two of the beaten horses jumped 

 upon him, broke two of his ribs and injured his spine. 

 On the Grand National track every effort had been made 

 to prevent danger either to man or beast, a very strong 

 wire fencing having been run on each side of the more 

 difficult jumps, to prevent the crowd in any way interfer- 

 ing with the horses. A commodious red brick telegraph 

 station had also been erected on the north side of the 



