3 i2 'LORD OF THE ISLES.' 



resumed active work. Mr. Merry was daily receiving 

 my reports of the state of his health, and what he was 

 doing. I considered, after his preparation for the 

 Two Thousand and his race in it, a few days' ease 

 would not hurt him, but, on the contrary, it may 

 have done him some good. As for the possible 

 advantages of rest, I may point out that Dangerous, 

 some days before the Derby, hurt his leg in his trial, 

 and did not from that day until the day before the 

 race have faster exercise than trotting, and on that 

 day was only cantered twice. Yet he won. Pretty 

 much the same may be said of Amato and Phosphorus, 

 both Derby-winners, and both lame at the time. I 

 should add, that as a precautionary measure, I advised 

 Mr. Merry to hedge his money ; for though I have 

 known many horses to cough without detriment to 

 their running powers, yet no one can tell to what extent 

 a cough may prove injurious to their bodily health. I 

 believe that he followed my advice; and I know that 

 after this disappointment, Aldcroft was never much 

 in his favour as a jockey. And this I believe to be a 

 full, true, and particular account of Lord of the Isles 

 performances in the two great three-year-old races 

 against St. Hubert and Kingstown. Shortly after the 

 former left me, with the rest of Mr. Merry's horses. 



