72 FLAT-RACING EXPLAINED. 



horses have run under precisely the same conditions 

 on both courses, there would not only be a different 

 result, so far as the winning horses are concerned, 

 for contemplation, but it is more than probable the 

 winner on the level would not be placed on the in- 

 cline, and the winner on the incline would not be 

 placed on the level. 



Now take a course where there is a decline, such 

 as at Epsom, Lingfleld, Brighton and other places, 

 and here you will have a totally different result 

 again; and if you expect the winner on either the 

 level or the incline to show to advantage on this 

 occasion, the chances are that both will be out of it 

 before the distance is reached. Of course, in these 

 cases I am assuming the state of the ground to be 

 dry; but, on the other hand, should it be Avet, say in 

 a sodden state, then I think those who venture on a 

 basis of calculation must be sanguine to a degree 

 slightly beyond ordinary conception. 



Then again, by way of further example of what 

 handicapping in a large measure consists, take the 

 condition of things we find relative to a race, it may 

 be, on the Royal Hunt Cup course at Ascot. Here 

 Avc have 7 furlongs and 166 yards surface measure- 

 ment. In framing a handicap for this course it 

 must necessarily be on the basis of this particular 

 distance. With some seventy or eighty horses in 



