My Racing Adventures 



was also situated in an unfavourable position at 

 Sandown, being half-way down the hill after 

 passing the stand, and some of the jockeys con- 

 sidered it a trifle " trappy." " Struanite " put 

 me on good terms with myself that day. I had 

 already won, as the saying is, many " Nationals " 

 in my mind — far more, of course, than the three 

 I have actually placed to my credit. 



The unguarded ditch, I may add, did not last 

 long. It was not favourably regarded by owners, 

 trainers, and jockeys, so the present guard-rail 

 was introduced, and, in my opinion, it is a great 

 improvement. The " ditch," as now constructed, 

 has no terrors for a horse properly "schooled," 

 or for a jockey who has not begun to see the red 

 light. 



Writing about the " ditch," too — and can we 

 have a more congenial subject in this sport- 

 ing chronicle ? — serves to remind me of quaint 

 adventures which I encountered at Ludlow. 

 Whilst riding " Why Not " there I once fell 

 three times in the same race. Having run up 

 that score, I thought the number sufficient, 

 and ceased to persevere. Every runner in that 

 steeplechase fell, including the winner, " Mid- 

 shipmite," who was ridden by the late W. 



Sensier. 



30 



