Sir James G. Baird 



nearly ready to start, in order that no one should become 

 acquainted with the direct line selected for the race. There 

 were twenty starters for the principal race, which answered to 

 the Gold Cup of later years ; and it was won in a gallant style 

 by the subject of our memoir, then a Captain in the loth 

 Hussars. The race, which appears to have been a most 

 sporting affair from beginning to end, is described as follows : — 



"At twenty minutes past four, Flies led off, followed by 

 Hussar, down to the second field where they divided ; Flies, 

 jumping into a bog and falling, twice refused a bullfinch, and 

 Sir James Baird was knocked out of his saddle, but remounted 

 and took the next two fences with only one foot in the stirrup. 

 Hussar and Ulpho jumped the first brook together, whilst 

 Baronet, Oliver Twist, and Mystery jumped in. Both the 

 leaders refused the second water jump, and Ulpho, landing in 

 the middle with his rider on his back, remained there until 

 several others had jumped over him. He then scrambled out, 

 fell head over heels at the next fence, staked himself, and his 

 bridle coming off, he went away. 



'* Oliver Twist also lost his bridle, and many of the field fell 

 in the water. Hussar made strong play in and out of the 

 road, but on turning the flags made a wide sweep towards 

 home, a few others taking the lower ground. Creole and 

 Carlow ran nearly neck and neck to the wall. After jumping 

 the wall Sir James Baird turned to the right, and passing in 

 the rear of Creole, took his line for the rails out of the last 

 field but one. By this he gained a threefold advantage, for he 

 obtained an easy jump, was straight for the winning flags, and 

 secured a run in along the land. Mr. Maddocks, riding 

 Creole, on the other hand, continued his course, and thus 

 enabled Sir James to win by four or five lengths. Primrose 

 vvras alongside Creole to the hedge, but fell over a thick bush, 



35 



