THE CAREER OF ORMONDE 259 



Having regard to what I had said to Matt 

 Dawson and Mr. Maple, it follows that I must 

 have looked upon Ormonde that day as a very 

 sound 7 to 2 chance. We started Coracle with 

 a view to his making a good pace for Ormonde 

 in the early stages of the race. My orders to 

 Viney were that he was to come along as fast as 

 ever he could the moment the flag fell. His 

 determination to carry out my instructions led 

 to his causing annoyance to the starter, Lord 

 Marcus Beresford. Viney conceived the idea of 

 poaching several lengths* lead at the outset, and, 

 in furtherance of his scheme, showed no inclina- 

 tion to line up with the other horses, but remained 

 some way in advance. I was told afterwards 

 that when ordered to join them, he exclaimed, in 

 an injured tone, " What is the use of me coming 

 down there when I have to make running for 

 Ormonde ? ** He had, of course, to line up with 

 the others, and, so far as Coracle is concerned, it 

 only remains to be added that his pace-making 

 mission was a dire failure. 



Ormonde, however, stood in no need of 

 assistance. From first to last he was master of 

 the situation. A long way from home the issue 

 rested between Ormonde and Minting, and the 

 latter was definitely and decisively beaten just 

 where I told Matt Dawson he would be — coming 

 out of the Dip a furlong from the winning-post. 

 Poor Matt was terribly crestfallen. Immediately 



