Captain Broadley 



In 1844 the race resumed its original character, and the 

 venue once more Northampton, in the same neighbourhood 

 in which the first race had been run three years previously. 

 On that occasion Sir Hussey Vivian openly stated it to be his 

 opinion that those gentlemen who had distinguished themselves 

 as good horsemen in crossing a country generally proved the 

 best soldiers in action. 



The line of country commenced on an eminence close to 

 the village of Wooton, about two and a half miles from 

 Northampton on the road to Stony Stratford, the starting 

 field being on a large piece of turf known as "Mr. Higgins' 

 Great Ground," declining considerably towards the first fence, 

 a bullfinch cut down. The next was a steep, declining piece 

 of grass — soft, boggy, and extremely uneven — with a cartway 

 across it, leading to a high but thin bullfinch, beyond which 

 was a small meadow to the brook dividing Wooton and Grinton 

 villagfes. This stream had a breadth of about nine feet of 

 water, with high and very steep banks, and was that which 

 Lottery and Cigar crossed in the Northampton Steeplechase 

 of 1840. On that occasion it was also the most attractive spot, 

 the horses having to cross it going and returning, and crowds 

 congregated on either side. 



The meadow beyond the brook was extensive, soft, and 

 boggy, and intersected by several shallow drains. 



At the end was a stiff bullfinch, and on the left a hayrick, 

 on which was placed the final turning flag. The next field was 

 of steep ridge and furrow on the left hand, opposite which was 

 the weakest part of the next fence. In the centre was a head- 

 land with a high gate before it, and on the right hand was 

 level, but the fence opposite was very high and thick, present- 

 ing only a single opening with iron rails on the landing side, 

 beyond being a small brook which flowed the whole length of 



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