for the winner _after_ the race, which his owner _had_ to take,
willy-nilly, or HOBSON's choice!

The pleasantest feature of the meeting, however, was the re-appearance
of H.R.H. the Prince of WALES, which was also pleasantly marked by one
of his horses winning a race! The Public having anxiously "watched"
for H.R.H., the success of _The Vigil_ was received with enthusiasm!

Next week takes us to Gatwick and Sandown--(or rather the _train_
takes us--another absurd expression)--the last day of the latter
Meeting being devoted to "Jumping Races," which is the contemptuous
way some people speak of the winter branch of our National
Sport!--forgetting that it demands the two most desirable qualities
in a horse, _speed and endurance_--whereas the modern flat-racing
has degenerated, for the most part, into scrambles and gambles, where
_speed_ is the only requisite!--but more of this anon--but _not_
anonymous, as I believe in signed articles, as the apprentice said!
(_Not_ BRADFORD!)

The most important race at Gatwick--(_delightful_ place to go
racing--lots of room to move about in)--is the Thousand Pound
Handicap, in which race _Brandy_ is worth keeping an eye on, as she
ought to beat _Burnaby_ at the difference in the weights--other horses
that might make their mark during the week--(especially now the ground
is soft)--are, _Pilot, Golden Garter_--(_I_ never was guilty of
such extravagance as that)--_Queen of Navarre_--(_she_ might have
been)--_Meadow Brown_, _Terror_, and _Seawall_, the last three in the
"Jumping Races"--and, in conclusion, the inevitable rhythmical winner,
from