THE NOBLE ART OF BACKIxVG WINNERS 221 



a Stouter breed, and at the same 

 time a breed of more service to the 

 country. A wretched-looking, weedy 

 two-year-old well forward may be a 

 source of remuneration for early two- 

 year-old racing, but they are no good 

 for Grand National horses or anything 

 else later in life. 



It is puzzling to account for the fact 

 that speedy five-furlong horses who could 

 not stay at all on the flat often prove 

 brilliant hurdle-racers, and can with 

 ease stay two miles at that game, 

 whilst horses that could have given 

 them stones at two miles on the flat 

 can't hold a candle to them over hurdles. 

 I attribute the reason to smart jumping 

 and quickness in getting on their legs 

 again. Bonnie Lassie was the quickest 

 mare I ever saw over hurdles, and could 

 not get more than five furlongs on the 



