Gentlemen Riders 



determined to run him at the flat race meeting for the Aldershot 

 Hurdle race, then a coveted race, and a good field came to the 

 post, ridden by the best-known soldier-jockeys of the day — and 

 at that epoch there were many soldiers who could hold their 

 own with the best professional talent. Fortal, as usual, bolted 

 at the start, and obtaining such a long lead, the other jockeys 

 took no notice of him, thinking he was sure to " come back." 

 They reckoned, however, without their host, for fully under- 

 standing his horse's peculiarities, when they had gained a lead 

 of many lengths, the rider sat quietly down in the saddle, 

 loosened hold of the reins, and spoke coaxingly to Fortal as if 

 he was going to be pulled up. The horse at once slackened 

 speed of his own accord until nearing the next hurdle, when 

 perforce the reins had to be tightened to steady him for the 

 leap, when off he rushed at the same headlong speed, yet 

 managed to negotiate the hurdle in safety. This was very 

 necessary, for the hurdles were firmly fixed, and could not easily 

 have been knocked down. The same tactics being pursued 

 between each hurdle the horse never ran himself out, and before 

 the turn into the straight was reached, it began to dawn on the 

 other jockeys that Fortal was holding his own, and not coming 

 back to them at all. In vain they tried to get on terms with 

 him, for his rider at last had control over him, and was able to 

 steady him up the incline. Captain Knox, 14th Hussars, alone 

 got up to Fortal's quarters on Cruiskeen, a Punchestown 

 winner, and together they rose at the last hurdle, but the timely 

 pull taken at Fortal enabled him to get away the quickest after 

 landing, and he passed the post an easy winner of what was really 

 a stolen race. After weighing in, a brother rifleman, now a 

 distinguished general, rushed up to the winning jockey and 

 said, " Well done, Dicky old man ! I am so glad you won ! 

 But who was that idiot racing away in front at first ? I could 



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