MILITARY STEEPLECHASING 253 



The line lay over some beautiful grazing land about 

 a mile and a half from the town, towards Little Billing, 

 the run in being- over risinsf rldgre and furrow to the 

 flags stationed near the mansion of Mr. John Harvey 

 Thursby. The distance was about three miles and a 

 quarter. There were altogether 25 fences, and many 

 were formidable obstacles. The few flaors which were 

 deemed necessary were not placed till the horses were 

 nearly ready to start, in order that no one should become 

 acquainted with the direct line selected for the race. 



At twenty minutes past four Flies led off, followed 

 by Hussar, down the second field, where they divided, 

 Flies jumping into a bog and falling. Three refused a 

 bullfinch, and Sir James Baird was knocked out of his 

 saddle, but remounted and took the next two fences 

 with only one foot in the stirrup. Hussar and Ulpho 

 jumped the first brook together, while Baronet, Mystery, 

 and Oliver Twist jumped in. Both the leaders refused 

 the second water jump, and Ulpho, landing in the middle 

 with his rider on his back, remained until several others 

 had jumped over him. He then scrambled out, fell 

 head over heels at the next fence, staked himself, and, 

 his bridle coming off, he went away. Oliver Twist also 

 lost his bridle, and many of the field fell in the water. 

 Hussar made strong play in and out of the road, but on 

 turning the flags made a wide sweep towards home, a 

 few others taking the lower ground. Creole and Carlow 

 ran nearly neck and neck to the wall. After jumping 

 the wall Sir James Baird inclined to the right, and, 

 passing in the rear of Creole, took his line for the rails 

 out of the last field but one. By this he gained a 

 threefold advantage, for he obtained an easy jump, was 

 straight for the winning flags, and secured a run in 

 along the land. Mr. Maddocks, on the other hand, 

 continued his course, which enabled Sir James to win 

 by four or five lengths. Primrose was alongside Creole 



