320 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



" Now, sir, if you please," said bis trainer, " the bell 

 has rung for saddling, and you will soon be at work. 

 Excuse my saying a word or two to you before starting, 

 as it will be too late afterwards. Your horse is well, and 

 that is a great point, and I think he will run a good horse. 

 But pray don't be in too big a hurry to get home, which 

 is the great fault of all young race-riders. Your horse 

 will be in a hurry, for he is a free goer in his work ; but 

 you have strength enough to keep him back. But mind 

 this, above all things don't lie out of your ground, but 

 get away with the front horses, and keep with them as 

 long as you can, and head them at last, if you are able. I 

 do not think you can win ; nevertheless, do not throw 

 away a chance. Take three good pulls at your horse, the 

 last within a distance of home, and if this plan will not 

 enable you to win, it will be your horse's fault, and not 

 your own. Now, let me give you a leg ; and when I 

 have mounted my hack, you shall give your horse a gallop 

 with me, to let him feel his legs. It need not be a long 

 one, for thirteen stone is a cruel weight on a race-horse." 



" It is so," replied Eaby ; " but I approve of the 

 principle; it encourages the breeding of powerful 

 thorough-bred horses, which at present are very scarce. 

 I was at Newmarket in the Craven meeting, and I did 

 not see half a dozen horses in training, equal to my 

 weight over a country." 



Now then for the race. Fourteen horses came to the 

 post, and, after one false start^ all got away except one, 

 who reared and fell back upon his rider, but without 

 materially injuring him. Our hero, upon Nameless, got 

 a good place in the ruck, which he kept three parts of the 

 way, riding strictly to orders. In fact, he looked very 

 much like a winner half a mile from home, his hands 

 being quietly down, and the fourth out of six that were 

 in front, with all the rest beaten off. 



"Nameless is winning," roars O'Hara ; "bv the powers 

 but I shall lose my 200 ! " 



But Nameless did not win. His rider let him loose too 

 soon, and, forgetting the advice of his trainer, to give him 

 the third pull, was beaten a clear length by the two leading 

 horses, who contested the race to a head the Prince's 

 horse Manning by the admirable jockevship of Lord 

 Solville, 



And now for the scene at the scales. 



