MODERN ENCLOSED COURSES 201 



straight mile, for instance, beginning with a longish descent, 

 which is followed by a switchback, and ending with a level 

 finish. The last half of this mile is something like the run-in 

 at Lewes, and in my opinion the whole forms a very nice test. 

 For speed that can only be turned on downhill, or which 

 owing to good hocks and faulty shoulders is seen at its best 

 on a sharp ascent, I do not care, and so I commend the 

 Leicester racing, and should have dearly liked to see the 

 defunct monster prizes hold their own and the best class 

 again competing on the undulating course. At Oadby, as 

 at nearly every modern enclosure except Gosforth Park, 

 there are steeplechase meetings in the winter, and though 

 this branch of the sport is in no better case here than it 

 is elsewhere at present, the course, owing to the afore- 

 mentioned undulations, is a remarkably good one. It is 

 well seen from the stands too, and there is no prettier sight 

 during the winter season than to see a respectable field come 

 to the drop fence, immediately opposite the stands, on the 

 far side of the course. As soon as they have safely nego- 

 tiated this jump the horses turn sharply left-handed, and 

 I have often noticed that the best jockeys secure such an 

 advantage here that they have practically won their race 

 at this particular turn. Some of the steeplechasing at 

 Oadby used to be (and may be yet) over ridge and furrow, 

 and this was a good deal more natural than the wholly 

 artificial course so much in vogue just now. Chasers that 

 can win pretty easily over the Oadby Course are generally 

 good to follow. 



Nottingham Races, which used to be held almost in the 

 town itself (I believe the spot was once a part of Sherwood 

 Forest), have been transferred to Colwick Park, in low-lying 

 park land, close by the River Trent. There is a two-mile 

 round course with a straight mile. Though so near the 

 river the course is on sound, well-drained old turf, and is 

 generally very good going. The programmes are of a good 

 second-rate sort. Not the best of class is seen here, nor 

 yet the worst, the happy medium being well hit, both with 

 regard to prizes and to the average class of runners. There 

 are some capital cross-country prizes during the winter, and 



