34 CHASING AND RACING 



not entitled to ride, as the conditions stated that the 

 race was for gentlemen riders only. Sure enough I 

 had made a fatal error this time. In the hurry and 

 confusion I had overlooked this stipulation. Of course 

 I offered no opposition to my galloway's disqualifica- 

 tion, simply stating the facts and admitting a moderate 

 measure of carelessness, which, under the circum- 

 stances, I suggested might be excused. Thus, thought 

 I, the matter ends. But not a bit of it ! Listen to 

 the sequel ! Such an eminently respectable, if some- 

 what dull, paper as Land and Water was at that time, 

 had the impudence to state that I had put Aldridge 

 up knowing that my colt would be disqualified, and 

 that I had backed him heavily ** first past the post " ! 



Naturally such an outrageous statement called 

 for immediate action, and a writ was issued against 

 the offending paper. 



I briefed Sir Robert Findlay, afterwards Lord 

 Chancellor ; whilst Land and Water was represented 

 by my friend Sir Charles Russell (who, coincidentally, 

 became in due course Lord Chief Justice under the 

 title of Lord Russell of Killowen). Just before the 

 case was called, Sir Charles greeted me, and we began 

 discussing some racing matter or other. All of a 

 sudden he pulled up, exclaiming : " Here, I say, 

 Cox, why, you are the plaintiff in this libel action 

 and I am for the defendants. Go away — go away 

 quickly ! 



Well, the case was never presented to the jury. 



