Royal Ascot ^ 



The Cup field of 1874 had some international colours 

 in it, Boiard, Flageolet, and Montargis representing the 

 French interest. Boiard was favourite ; but Flageolet, Gang 

 Forward, and Kaiser were considered as dangerous rivals. 

 Fordham, who rode Flageolet, made the running at a fast 

 pace, and, coming into the straight, it seemed that the four 

 were abreast. Then Kaiser gave way, and, in spite of 

 Fordham's gallant effort, Boiard headed Flageolet and won 

 easily by three-quarters of a length, amid great cheering. 

 This was the fourth time that the Frenchmen had taken 

 the Cup, and M. Delamane came in for a shower of con- 

 gratulations. On the following day, however, the French 

 horse lost the Alexandra Plate to Lord Lonsdale's King 

 Lud by King Tom. It was a game finish, and even in the 

 straight it looked like level betting, when Custance fairly 

 wore the Frenchman down. 



The difficulty of catering for the great number of visitors 

 to Ascot had caused much anxiety to the management and 

 no small discomfort to the visitors in previous years. Since 

 the last meeting Mr. Mollis had built, on that part of the 

 lawn at the back of the Grand Stand that had formerly 

 been occupied by a large marquee, a large dining-hall, 90 ft. 

 by 30 ft., capable of seating three hundred persons, and 

 having a lofty verandah on the side overlooking the lawn. 

 Amongst other improvements a balcony was erected in 

 front of the Royal Stand, similar to that at the Stand of the 

 Master of the Buckhounds. 



One of the closest races ever witnessed on the Berkshire 

 Heath was the finish for the Ascot Stakes in 1875. As 

 the flag fell, Bertram dashed away and held the lead until 

 coming into the straight, when Organist, Scamp, and Lilian, 



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