270 STEEPLECHASING 



Warrior, and the third the JNIarquis Talon's Laudanum. 

 Of the Marquis Talon I have already spoken, and Captain 

 Tempest has been referred to as the rider of Hall 

 Court in the Grand National. 



Rugby was the loais in quo in 1864, the winner 

 being Major Wombwell's (12th Lancers) Bell's Life, 

 ridden by Captain Smith, and in the owner of the winner 

 the reader will recognise Sir George Wombwell, who 

 took part in the charge of the Light Brigade at 

 Balaclava, and was a master of the York and Ainsty 

 Hounds. 



In the same year in December the Reading course 

 was selected for some military steeplechases, and there 

 was a good deal of grumbling because the water-jump 

 had to be taken for the second time almost at the finish. 

 This unwise arrangfement was said to have been due 

 to the fact that as five shillings was charged for admit- 

 tance to the Grand Stand, which faced the water-jump, 

 the Executive thought that the occupants thereof should 

 see some fun for their money. 



Again in 1865 did the soldiers join hands with the 

 Executive of the Rugby Hunt Steeplechases. At the 

 Warwick meeting held just previously a report was in- 

 dustriously circulated to the effect that the Grand Mili- 

 tary meeting would not be able to be held at Rugby 

 but would have to come off over the Warwick course. 

 That, however, was not the case. The weather was 

 inclement, snow falling so heavily just before the race 

 for the Gold Cup was started that, at a few yards dis- 

 tance, it was impossible to see the colours of the riders. 

 Luckily, however, the snow ceased in a few minutes, 

 at least for a time. The race resulted in a surprise. 

 Merrimac was favourite, and Mr. Stevenson's Glencairn 

 started at 10 to i. The latter, however, soon took the 

 lead, but refusing the fence before the brook, rather 

 an awkward jump, he became the absolute last. This 



