Steeplechase Riding 195 



me." It was knowledge of pace that made 

 him confident, and told him he need not 

 hurry his horse. 



Perhaps no greater example of this invalu- 

 able quality has ever been afforded than John 

 Osborne's handling of Lord Clifden, in that 

 memorable St. Leger when the "big horse" 

 was like the " little boat," all astern, until his 

 pilot — who had never bustled him a yard to 

 make up his lost ground — was enabled to 

 collar the leaders close home, and win. 

 Poor George Fordham, who had said he 

 " would eat Lord Clifden, hoofs and all," if 

 he won, was frequently asked by his brother- 

 professionals when he intended to commence 

 the meal. 



Robinson, who was on Kilwarlin for the 

 Leger of 1887, also showed great coolness and 

 patience under singularly trying circum- 

 stances, for the horse went straight up with 

 him when the flag fell, and at one time he 

 was over a hundred yards behind everything. 

 Loud were the offers to lay 25 to i against 

 him in running ; but when once he took hold 



