320 RACECOUKSE AND COVEET SIDE. 



to him in riding across country ; and no man in 

 England goes better to hounds. 



F. Webb is another sound horseman, who by 

 reason of the low handicap minimum, and the 

 consequently low maximum, has great difficulty 

 in keeping himself down to riding weight. 

 Webb's skill is particularly seen when he finds 

 it necessary to hold his horse together, and come 

 with a rush in the last few strides ; and, what is 

 more, he knows the precise moment when the 

 rush should be made. 



Another successful jockey is Charles Wood, 

 who is fortunate in being able to ride well under 

 8st. Wood has courage and judgment. The 

 former won him the Derby on St. Blaise, the 

 dash round the rails enabling him to get a for- 

 ward place which he never lost. The number 

 of winners he has ridden during the last three 

 years speaks strongly in his favour ; for a stable 

 boy may, by good luck and a flash of inspiration, 

 win the Derby, but to maintain such an average 

 of success as Wood can show, means consistent 

 ability. Yet Wood rarely rides a brilliant race, 

 to adopt familiar phraseology. He does not give 

 striking evidences of horsemanship ; he is a 

 steady capable jockey with much strength in the 

 saddle, determination, and a long experience 

 which stands him in good stead ; but he does not 



