284 THE DERBY OF 1848. 



" The Derby nags assembled in the paddock in charge of 

 their respective trainers and grooms, Loadstone and Surplice 

 being foremost in the throng, attended by the elder Kent, 

 Leadbetter, and Thackwell — the former having been in 

 charge of the horse for some nights before the race, with a 

 view of defeating any of those sinister intentions which 

 former experience led to a suspicion might again be put 

 into practice : in fact, every possible care had been taken 

 to protect Surplice from being got at, much to the morti- 

 fication, it was said, of many who would have been far from 

 displeased to hear that he had had a ' bad night.' Both 

 horses looked remarkably well, especially Surplice, of whom 

 it was said by a competent judge of looks that he was sure 

 to win, as an animal in more splendid condition was never 

 witnessed. In the early part of the day as much as 6 to 5 

 was laid on Surplice, but a perceptible change took place. 

 Nil Desperandum advanced in favour, and was backed at 

 5 to 1, and by some parties at 3 to 1, while Surplice w^ent 

 back to 5 and even 6 to 4 — the latter odds being in some 

 instances laid by those who were well on him, and whose 

 confidence was somewhat shaken at the last moment. This 

 change, we have reason to believe, was effected by a ruse 

 got up among a party who were opposed to him, and who, 

 by apparently laying odds against him, induced apprehen- 

 sion in the public mind of which they themselves took 

 advantage, thereby getting on at a better price, and saving 

 some £4000 or £5000. The crush to get a position whence 

 a view of the course could be obtained was terrific. 



" We have given a description of the race in its usual 

 place, from which it will be seen that it was keenly con- 

 tested by Surplice, Springy Jack, and Shylock. Surplice 

 was spurred, although the whip was not used ; and it was 

 remarked that had the pace been good he would have won 

 more cleverly, being such a sluggish horse and requiring 

 a good deal of riding — evidence of which was afforded in 

 his trial, for when he was nearing the winning-post and 



