PARADOX 235 



Paradox did not run again before the Derby. 

 At Epsom he once more met Melton and 

 Xaintrailles, both of whom started better 

 favourites than our colt, the betting reading : 

 75 to 40 against Melton, 4 to i Xaintrailles, 

 6 to I Paradox. There were nine other runners, 

 including Crafton, who had many supporters at 

 100 to 15. Melton's only outing that season 

 before the Derby was in the Payne Stakes at 

 the Newmarket Second Spring Meeting. He 

 then won comfortably from Kingwood and 

 Lonely. Xaintrailles, owned by M. Lupin, 

 had won three races in France, one being the 

 French Two Thousand. 



Archer was not able to ride Paradox in the 

 Derby ; Matt Dawson required him for Melton. 

 From our point of view this was most unfortu- 

 nate, because Archer knew all about Paradox 

 and his little weaknesses. There was probably 

 no other jockey, unless it was Tom Cannon, 

 who could have got Paradox beaten in the 

 Derby. I engaged Fred Webb to ride our colt, 

 and so thrust upon him somewhat unenviable 

 responsibilities. All the bookmakers seemed 

 anxious to lay against Paradox. Eventually it 

 came to our knowledge there was a rumour 

 afloat that Webb had been " got at." After 

 Webb had weighed-out for Paradox, Mr. Cloete 

 told him of the statements that were being made, 

 and said : ** Whatever they have offered you, I 



