90 The Pytchley Himt, Past and Present, [chap. m. 



used to distingaisli one at the end of March, 1830, from 

 Misterton to the Laughton Hills, as one of the best he 

 had ever seen. Though apparently making direct for 

 the earths, the fox passed right over them, open as they 

 were, and was killed within 200 yards of the shelter 

 he had so unwisely rejected. One night after dinner at 

 Pitsford Hall, some chaff having taken place as to the 

 ^^ Squire^s''^ powers of endurance on horseback, he 

 backed himself for 1000 guineas to ride 200 miles 

 ill ten hours — he to have as many horses as he pleased. 

 The match was to come off on the round course at New- 

 market, and thirty-two horses, chiefly the property of 

 himself and friends, and all of the highest class, having 

 been selected for the undertaking, Mr. Osbaldeston 

 went into training for a week. During this time he 

 took exercise of the severest description, and thought 

 nothing of riding to Newmarket, sixty miles from Pits- 

 ford, after hunting on a Wednesday, and returning for the 

 meet on the Friday following, after having galloped in 

 turn (on the Thursday) th.e different hor-es he was going 

 to ride in the match. In the accomplishment of his task, 

 each horse was changed at the end of the four-mile 

 circuit, some of them being ridden two and three times, 

 and one, Tranby — well-known for his speed and lasting 

 qualities — being pulled out a fourth time ! In conse- 

 quence of not being able to get several of the horses to 

 approach a wooden horse-block turfed over and erected 

 in front of the stand, the rider had to dismount on the 

 completion of each round, which not only was a loss of 

 time, but greatly increased the stress upon the muscles. 

 In spite, however, of this drawback, the ill-temper shown 

 by Ikey Solomon, and the ground not being in a favour- 



