225 
THE LATE STEEPLE CHASE, &C. 
regain his seat, his bridle being then all on one side. He had 
previously got the lead. Rough Robin close behind. The others 
were all well up, but Moonraker and Grimaldi seemed waiting 
on each other in the rear. We cannot presume to give the posi¬ 
tion of each horse in the animated struggle which followed. 
Many of the leaps were admirably taken, and all seemed influ¬ 
enced by the same desire of emulation. Some got clumsy falls, 
and were unhorsed; and others declared off the grand contest, 
seeing they had not a chance. The most interesting point was 
the struggle for turning the angle at the farm-house, from which 
a view of the distant goal could be obtained. Here Moonraker 
asserted his supremacy, and came gallantly round the corner, 
close followed by Corinthian Kate, Grimaldi, Bloomfield, Napo¬ 
leon, and some others well in their wake. The burst down the 
hill was beautiful, and the general cry was—“ Moonraker is 
winning easy \” Three or four leaps were well taken, when Moon¬ 
raker, in surmounting the hill, came to the third fence from 
home, nearly abreast vrith Corinthian Kate: they both cleared 
well; but Moonraker swerving a little to the left, so as to clear 
the flag tree, Corinthian Kate came close to him on the right, 
and in the next fence had rather the advantage in making her 
leap. The call was now rather for Kate; but in a few strides 
Moonraker regained his superiority, and darting with unabating 
vigour at the last fence, cleared nearly seven yards at the spring, 
and shook his rider most fearfully. Kate now fell off', but Gri¬ 
maldi, who had been waiting for the last struggle home, and who 
had taken his leaps beautifully from the first, rushed out and 
challenged Moonraker. The struggle up the hill to the paddock 
was desperate—nothing could be finer; both sprang to the bank 
at the same moment, but Moonraker had the advantage by half 
a neck, and was pronounced the winner. It "was thought, had 
Grimaldi made play sooner, the issue would have been different. 
The struggle with those left immediately behind was between 
Corinthian Kate, Napoleon, and Bloomfield. The former two 
came in third and fourth. An accident prevented Bloomfield 
from getting a better place—he and his rider having fallen into 
a chalk pit which unfortunately lay in the way, and was unper¬ 
ceived till too late by Mr. Codrington. Much credit is due to 
Captain Beecher for the manner in which he rode Corinthian 
Kate; and, making allowance for his early mishap, it will be 
seen that his chances of victory were of no common character. 
Grimaldi was also admirably ridden by Mr. Mostyn, who com¬ 
plained of his path being crossed by some horsemen at a most 
important point. Of Mr. Seffert’s management of Moonraker 
wc cannot speak in terms of too much praise. Mr. Codrington 
