Steeplechase Riding 195 



me." It was knowledge of pace that made 

 him confident, and told him he need not 

 hurry his horse. 



Perhaps no greater example of this invalu- 

 able quality has ever been afi'orded than John 

 Osborne's handling of Lord Clifden, in that 

 memorable St. Leger when the " big horse " 

 was like the '* little boat," all astern, until his 

 pilot — who had never bustled him a yard to 

 make up his lost ground — was enabled to 

 collar the leaders close home, and win. 

 Poor George Fordham, who had said he 

 "would eat Lord Clifden, hoofs and all," if 

 he won, was frequently asked by his brother- 

 professionals when he intended to commence 

 the meal. 



Kobinson, who was on Kilwarlin for the 

 Leger of 1887, also showed great coolness and 

 patience under singularly trying circum- 

 stances, for the horse went straight up with 

 him when the flag fell, and at one time he 

 was over a hundred yards behind everything. 

 Loud were the ofi'ers to lay 25 to i against 

 him in running ; but when once he took hold 



