244 ASHGILL; OR, THE LIFE 



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lay together in the rear, but not so far away as to cause uneasiness to the 

 backers of either. In another hundred yards, however, a manifest change 

 took place in the positions, for Johnnie Osborne, evidently having a feeler 

 at his field, let Apology out, and before the Rifle Butts had been reached she 

 had drawn clear past the group previously mentioned and taken fourth place 

 close up with Trent, whilst Sweet Violet as rapidly dropped away as if 

 already in difficulties. A rouser from Snowden, however, made her soon 

 recover her place, and the excitement began to increase every moment when 

 it was observed that Scamp, Blantyre, Glenalmond, Atlantic, and Rostrevor 

 were beginning to close with the leader, Lady Patricia and Volturno having 

 again become the whippers in. From the Rifle Butts on to the Red House 

 (six furlongs from home) Boulet began to show signs of distress, and as he 

 gave way, Leolinus and Trent were left side by side barely clear of Apology, the 

 Ashgill filly having for her nearest attendants Lord Falmouth's colt (Atlantic) 

 and Glenalmond, though but a short distance separated the last named and 

 Feu d' Amour, Blantyre, and Sweet Violet, who came on abreast each other. 

 Just at this juncture it was observed that something was wrong with Atlantic, 

 who a moment ago lay well forward and was now absolutely being stopped, his 

 backers at once dreading that he had broken down, which was correct so far, that 

 when he afterwards was walked back to the paddock it became known that he 

 had burst another blood vessel. As the lot swept round the Red House turn 

 Apology came with another dash, and before the heads of the lot had been fairly 

 straightened it was seen that she held a slight lead from Leolinus, who lay next 

 the rails, and Trent, who occupied a position in the centre of the course, the two 

 coming along clear of Feu d' Amour, Glenalmond, Rostrevor, Scamp, and Sweet 

 Violet, who ranged themselves side by side half-way across the course, thereby 

 barring the way to the others who followed, all of whom, however, were seen to 

 be busily at work before the bend was reached about a couple of distances from 

 home. At this juncture both Rostrevor and Sweet Violet began to give way, 

 and though both Scamp and Feu d' Amour hung on for another hundred yards or 

 so their riders also began to be busy, and for a second or two the hopes of the 

 backers of Russley were sustained when they observed Webb on Glenalmond 

 coming along in the track of the leading trio and apparently going well. Before 

 the distance had been reached, however, he too began to feel the effects of the 

 struggle, and though called upon vigorously for a short distance he dropped even 

 further astern, and Apology came along with a good half-length lead from her 

 right and left supporters to the half -distance, where Cannon on Trent and 

 T. Osborne on Leolinus commenced to ride in earnest. Their efforts, however, 

 were of no avail so far as winning honours were concerned, as Apology coming 

 along quitted the pair a dozen strides from home and won very easily by a length 

 and a half amid such a burst of cheering as was never heard on Doncaster Town 

 Moor. No less than five lengths behind Leolinus, who finished second, came 

 Trent third, fully an equal distance in front of Scamp, fourth. Behind the last 

 named Sweet Violet finished fifth, about a couple of lengths clear of Blantyre, 

 the Frenchmen (Boulet and Feu d' Amour), and Volturno, these four being almost 

 in a cluster. Then came Glenalmond, pulling up, tenth, Rostrevor eleventh, 

 and Lady Patricia, who occupied the undistinguished position of whipper in. 

 Atlantic walked home some time afterwards bleeding very freely from mouth 

 and nostrils, he having broken a blood vessel. The time of the race was 



