124 CHASING AND RACING 



for the occasion only — the winner of such a time- 

 honoured race as " The Chester Cup." 



Thereby I was encouraged to continue. I mapped 

 out for myself a pretty little " itinerary fro jorma^^ which 

 should see me riding and winning in hunters' flat 

 races, as at that time introduced to most of the N.H. 

 cards at the principal meetings. My first opportunity 

 occurred when the horses belonging to the eccentric 

 and irresponsible, but kind-hearted Marquis of Ailes- 

 bury were dispersed. Among them was a mare called 

 Lady Frederick, who had won one of these events and 

 had run second in another. She fell to my bid at a 

 reasonable figure. Not having any No. i full-sized 

 tackle to try her out with, I gave her a spin at Kempton 

 Park with my champion galloway Catona, whom I 

 believed to be capable of tackling this class of gee, 

 despite her lack of inches. Tommy Aldridge had a 

 leg up on the " pony," whilst I had my first ride on 

 the " big *un." Sure enough, the gallant Catona (in 

 receipt of a stone) held my mount for speed ; but 

 at the distance — the trial was over the orthodox two 

 miles — I got on terms, and won without having to call 

 on Lady Frederick for an extra effort. 



This seemed to me good enough, so I entered her 

 at Sandown. Meanwhile, I had registered new colours 

 under rules, viz. " Lemon, orange sleeves and cap," 

 and having donned these, I was thrown up on my new 

 purchase. History repeated itself. As on the occasion 

 of my first pony race at Hurlingham, I was left at the 



