226 
THE LATE STEEPLE CHASE 
also rode admirably. The remaining competitors came gallop¬ 
ing in at intervals : some of them at a slapping pace, anxious to 
avoid being last—a distinction which was awarded to Hotspur, 
who lost both his rider, his bridle, and himself. Several of the 
riders in coming in shewed convincing marks of having come in 
contact with “ mother earth.” Some few accidents occurred 
in the last meadow, from the injudicious rush of the crowd, 
horse and foot—some were thrown down, but we did not hear of 
any serious accident. 
On going to scale there were, of course, various opinions as to 
the merits of the different horses, and the superiority of Grimaldi 
over Moonraker. This led to fresh challenges ; and Mr. Osbal- 
deston proposed making a match between Grimaldi and Moon¬ 
raker for £500, or between one of his own horses and Moon¬ 
raker, to run in Leicestershire, for a like sum—undertaking to 
ride both races himself, if he were well. 
The four miles, as far as we could collect, were performed in 
fifteen minutes and a half. 
After an excellent dinner at the Turf Hotel, at which most of 
the riders and owners of the horses were present, Mr. Osbaldes- 
ton, Mr. Evans, and other gentlemen came in and challenged 
Mr. Elmore to make a match for Moonraker to run Grimaldi for 
£500, in Leicestershire or Northamptonshire. Mr. Elmore, 
however, refused to go so far from home; and, in fact, did not 
seem to like making a fresh match so soon, as it was found that 
Moonraker had not been quite so well as he might have been 
after the race. After some discussion, however, Mr. Osbaldes- 
ton agreed to give Mr. Elmore £50 to make the match. Arti¬ 
cles were then drawn and signed : the match to come off in the 
neighbourhood of Harrow, on the 13th. The distance four miles 
across the country, and each rider to carry eleven stone seven 
pounds. It was understood that Mr. Osbaldeston would ride 
Grimaldi. Heavy betting, Moonraker rather the favourite, took 
place. Great confidence, however, was expressed in the powers 
of Mr. Evans’s Grimaldi. Some thought, had he taken the last 
leap instead of turning the corner of the hedge, by which he se¬ 
vered from the direct line, he would have had the lead. On the 
other hand, it was asserted that Moonraker never once required 
the spur or the whip, and had a reef to let go if necessary. 
On the 13th, both horses were allowed to be in excellent con¬ 
dition, and “ nothing the worse” for their Thursday’s exertion. 
Grimaldi had a decided advantage in youth and freshness, and 
came up from Warwickshire with an excellent character. He is 
six years old, by Grimaldi out of Miss Bab, by Highland-fling, 
out of Lady Bab, and "bred by Mr. Clifford, of Gloucestershire. 
