Even though the course of the racing had shown that a six months' favourite, himself at the top of his form,, was certain of having a big battle for the Champions, the attendance at the Race Course on Wednesday for the third day of the Race Club's Autumn Meeting was nothing like so big as might have been expected. 'The public stands were quite well filled, but there was plenty of room to spare 1n the members' and guests' enclosures. Possibly the dull weather kept many away. The fears overnight of a heavy course did not materialize, for the rain was only sufficient to ease the going, which actually was far better for the majority of the ponies.
The big race, of course, arouse ed excitement on account. of the honour of the victory, but there have been several better races during the meeting, and the excuse well may be made that, the Field ponies had not been allowed to make the pace and a faster time had been sch there would have been a different result. There was another wonderful demonstration of the affection displayed by the general public for that stout-hearted veteran, Old Bill. He had worked tremendously hard without qualifying, but he was brought out again in the second race of the morning and earned the right to run in the Champions, which was vastly more valued than the stakes that went with it He arrived on the course rather late, and no sooner was seen than there was a roar from a]] the stands, and_ still another when the pony acknowledged it by capering about and showing that there was plenty of life in him. In the final wagering Abbeyfield. displaced Cock o' Th' North for favouritism for. the. win, though,. as so
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.