"Ilex" 



In the next Grand National (1891), "Ilex" 

 had 12 st. 5 lb. to carry, and even with that 

 considerable impost, he was backed for a lot 

 of money. He was obliged to put up with third 

 place. " Cloister," with 12 st., was second, and, 

 in my humble opinion, " Ilex " was a better horse 

 over the Liverpool course than " Cloister." In 

 the following year, carrying 12 st. 7 lb., " Ilex " 

 was third again, but the fact must be remembered 

 that he had not really done a gallop for a fort- 

 night before he ran. He was third practically 

 on three legs ; one was what is technically called 

 " a swinger." When we got him home his fetlock 

 was nearly on the ground. He was in plaster 

 of Paris for weeks to keep his leg up. It was 

 impossible for us to train him again properly 

 after that trouble, so his career as a steeplechaser 

 — absolutely the best I ever rode — was virtually 

 ended. I shall always cherish a most loving 

 memory for this great horse. 



During several happy seasons when his racing 

 days were over, I used " Ilex " as a hack and 

 hunter; he was extremely useful in both 

 capacities. One could not put him out of his 

 place. He was a " nailer " with hounds. Hunt- 

 ing men who did not know him often asked me 

 where I had got my jumper from, and when I 



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