Classic dform 209 



' Prince Charlie,' ' Galopin,' and ' Bend Or,' that 

 have won one or more of the classic races, all good 

 horses, but not in my opinion so good as the two 

 before mentioned. Of course, some people will differ 

 with me, and go so far as to say ' Isonomy' would have 

 won all three of the great classic races. I only state 

 my humble opinion, and I think if the whole of the 

 racing people competent of judging were canvassed, 

 the majority would be in favour of 'Ormonde,' but 

 am doubtful if they would agree with me in my selec- 

 tion of ' Gladiateur ' next. After all, it is a matter 

 of fancy and conjecture, and one that it is impossible 

 to prove. The nearest calculation that can be made 

 is by collateral trials, and the form of the same horses 

 shown in the succeeding years. Sometimes these 

 turn out to be right, but are not always trustworthy. 



Here is an instance of collateral form really 

 carried out almost to the letter. I was in the 

 paddock at Ascot, ready to ride ' King Lud ' for 

 the Alexandra Plate at Ascot in 1874, when Mr. 

 Chaplin, my old master, came up and asked me 

 what my mount was going to be. I told him 

 ' King Lud.' He immediately said : 



" Well, Custance, you will have a good view of 

 the race, and I should like to know your opinion of 

 this French horse ' Boiard ' afterwards." 



H 



