Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/200

 came a step in advance, in the shape of four days' sport, and a stake increased to £100. In 1793 and 1794 there were five days' races, commencing on the Monday, there yet being only one stake a day contested, all of which were in heats. From 1795 to 1804 there were usually two prizes daily, and in the latter year Mr Houldsworth's name first appears on the list—"Our Turf, our Stage, and our Ring," by R. W. Procter.

MANCHESTER RACES ON THE NEW COURSE, NEAR CASTLE IRWELL. the extinction of races on Kersal Moor, it seemed probable that the Manchester meetings would suddenly end, and their name be lost by amalgamation with some friendly rival. In this strait it was suggested that Radcliffe Bridge races might be accepted as a substitute; next the good folks of Horwich invited us to their bleak moor; then Newton did its best to please us, by fixing its races to our time—the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of Whitweek. At the eleventh hour, however, when all these claims had been mooted, and when White Moss had been rejected, a site was secured near Castle Irwell. Apart from association, I have never had much fancy for the new course at the foot of the old moor. Being on a dead level, there is no convenient hill within its circle of ropes and chains whence the heads of the crowd may be overlooked. One of the pleasantest features of our new course is the river Irwell, winding round three sides of the arena. The river is also the source of occasional merriment. As the approaches to the race-ground are jealously guarded by toll-men, it follows that many urchins, penniless tramps, and artizans out of employ, are usually