I04 THE TURF 



1890. Previously to the success of Dan Dancer in 

 1888, he had been jumping hurdles, as had Billow 

 before she won in 1892, and, it may be added, Prud- 

 homme and Up Guards before they won the Chester 

 Cup. There is generally supposed to be some derogation 

 in character when a horse runs over hurdles, though to 

 this rule, if it be one, there are some notable exceptions, 

 Hampton having been a hurdle jumper before he 

 gained fame for himself and fortune for his owner. 

 Class was found again in the Ascot Stakes in 1895, 

 when Ravensbury carried off the Cup with 9 st. 9 lbs. 

 It went to France by the aid of Arlequin in 1896, and 

 of Masque in 1897. 



Of all handicaps throughout the year, perhaps the 

 Cambridgeshire is universally regarded as the most 

 important ; but the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot runs it 

 close. This race was originated in 1843, has nearly 

 always attracted large fields and usually brought out 

 horses of good class. Of late years, indeed, it has 

 rather increased than diminished in interest. See 

 Saw, who won in 1869, was in all respects a creditable 

 example of the English thoroughbred, though the 

 same cannot be said for Judge, successful in the 

 following year. Judge had been bought for a very 

 few sovereigns, but his light weight enabled him to 

 get home before animals of better class. That extra- 

 ordinarily speedy horse Lowlander, by the way, was 

 also a hurdle-racer, and won the Hunt Cup in 1874. 

 There was a sensational race in 1881, when the five- 



