MR. ALLEN M'DONOGH. 347 



all the way from Melton, arrived at Wlllmont with 

 a letter from the late Lord Howth. His Lordship 

 explained matters, and entreated Mr. M'Donogh to go 

 over, to use his own words, " to get them out of the 

 hole." It was a long journey in those days, when 

 there were no railway lines ; however, he went, arrived 

 in Leicester on the following Sunday, saw that the 

 horse was in "blooming condition," and got on his 

 back. Sir William showed a good deal of temper, but 

 after a length of time he got him over a couple of 

 small fences. The course was an ugly one — post and 

 rails, razor-backed banks, and water, were to be met 

 with in the line. As was generally the case in these days, 

 the track was from one windmill to another. There 

 was an immense assemblage of the " rank and fashion," 

 indeed of people of all classes, to witness the contest. 

 Jerry was favourite, and trusted to the guidance of 

 Jem Mason, who sent him to the front the moment 

 the flag was lowered, to the delight of Mr. M'Donogh, 

 who was afraid to make play, fearing that his horse 

 would baulk. The first fence was a nice bush-fly, and 

 when Jerry came to it, he wheeled right across Sir 

 William, who went straight, flew it like a bird, and 

 won in a walk. This took place in 1839, and in a year 

 afterwards Jerry won the Liverpool Grand National, 

 beating twelve competitors. I should have mentioned 

 that, in 1838, Mr. M'Donogh had a trio in training, 

 My Lady, Fracture, and Bolivar ; on the last-named, 

 a useful son of Tramp, he won the Battersby Whip, 

 with 105 sovs., and the Vaughan Goblet, with 155 sovs., 

 at Howth, but neither of the others brought "grist to 

 the mill" that season. 



During the next four years he had no horses in 



