The Life of Fred Archer 159 
Archer was up to, and I thought it the cleverest piece of work 
I had ever seen. 
" Knowing Valour did not care much for the Manchester 
Cup distance, Archer rode the first part of the race as though it 
was a mile. Then he gave Valour a rest but kept him weU up, 
and when they came to the straight it was a race ! Wood 
seemed to have the race won on Peter, but Archer on Valour 
still kept going. The Demon rode for his life, and I never saw 
a horse finish as Valour did. Peter was just beaten, and through 
sheer good riding on Archer's part. That Peter was a better 
horse than Valour I do not think anyone would deny. It was 
a genuine case of ' the riding did it.' Even the backers of 
the other jockeys could not help cheering Fred as he came to 
weigh in. I have had many a wager about Archer, but not at 
such a long price as I got about Valour in the Manchester 
Cup." 
Again, Mr. Gould says : 
" Valour's Manchester Cup was remarkable. Peter, owned 
by Sir John Astley, was a hot favourite and Wood had the 
mount. Valour's course was supposed to be a mile, and Peter 
was probably at his best over a similar distance. Valour was 
not put down as a probable starter on the morning of the race, 
or, if he was, had the ' doubtful ' star in front of his name. 
I went from Newark to see this race, and had reason for going, 
as I had received a hint from a most exceptional quarter that 
Valour would run, also that Peter would win. In the paddock 
Fred Archer was standing, for a wonder, alone. 
Got any chance on Valour ? ' I asked. 
" For a moment Archer looked at me with a peculiar twinkle 
in his eyes, and said something to this effect : 
He's got a chance, especially as I know he's well.' 
" He rode a wonderful race in snatches. He sent Valour 
along for a mile, and then eased him a bit ; when they were 
fairly going along in the straight he rode the horse again. Wood 
seemed to have the race in hand on Peter, but he reckoned 
