Paper Hunt Handicap on Saturday, twice round the usual Steeplechase Course, attracted such a crowd of ladies and gen-Hlomen that the Grand Stand enclosure Jooked quite as if it were a Race day.
Fears had been entertained that the aport would have to be po thoned owing to the recent heavy rains, but it was decided by the stewards, and wisely as the resttlt showed, that unless it actually rained the Handienp should come elf. The ground was of course very heary, and in some places actually under water fora few yards, but this did not prevent the appenvance of a first rate field; there Doing no less than 17 or 18 starters out of nineteen entries.
After a slight delay, during which an energetic photographer took a view of the restive and quiet, the word off was given, Messrs, Hunt and Nickels, riding Maloo and Sky Pilot, emerged from the ruck and crossed the Double simultaneously. The allotted 15 sec. having elapsed, the second batch came forward, prominent amongst whom we noticed Oriflamme, ridden by Me. How, and Gameboy by Mr. Daniell. Quickly followed the 3rd batch, and last of all came the scratch ponies, they being 45 sec. behind those handicapped. Now the race waxed warm, and Furore, ridden by Mr, Gore-Booth, was seen to be working his way through the crowd, and was the first to cross the Wall, followed by Southdown, Gekko, Schwalbe and Gameboy. the Double was crossed a second time without any serious mishap, Furore not having once refused. OF the handicapped lot little was to be seen, as all attention was centred in the leading four ponies, which passed and re-passed most of their oppo-Nents, Opposite the Stand, furore led by 200 yards, splendidly ridden, He eventually won, "hands down, crossing the Double for the third time equally as well as the first. A good race ensued for 2nd place, which was gained by Southdown closely followed by Schwalbe. Owing to Gekko's eagerness in an attempt to secure second honour, he slipped, and placed himself and rider at the bottom of the Double instead Of over it, Nearly the whole of the ponies went Unusually well, although the croppers were No means like angels' visits, as the take elf at most of the jumps was so slushy and slippery that the ponies were unable to {illest themselves properly before leaping. of the Handicap, as to do so one must have fis impossible to give any detailed account been ubiquitous; suffice it to say that no accidents of a serious nature occurred, the occasional duckings only adding to the excitement of the sport and the amusement of the spectators, and that the Steeplechaso was one of the very best that has ever taken place over the Course. So many ponies went straight and well, that it would be invidious to make any comparisons. The two first in, Furore and Southdown, thoroughly deserved the honour they won, having jumped magnificently throughout.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.