The Macclesfield Stakes

Most Britons, as Lord Byron once put it, "till by losing rendered sager, will back their own opinions by a wager." Some have even been known to back their wagers by some sage manipulation, like doping a horse or marking cards.

But such things are likely to go on only in the big, sinful cities like London. In the Cheshire market town of Macclesfield last week the heavy betting all seemed to be above board as Chrysanthemum Champ Jim Jackson preened his finest blossoms for the local flower show. Macclesfield's wise money was all on the old champ's posies to cop the prizes, and only a few flashy characters, who were strangers to the town, bothered to play the long shots opposing Jim. Then, a day or so before the show, someone broke into the Jackson hothouse and poisoned his six best blooms.

It was a dark day in Macclesfield. The report spread that Jim's blooms had withered on their stalks, and the local bookmakers waited grimly to pay out their cash. But the fixers never collected. As Macclesfield's flowers went to the post, Champion Jackson, still in good form, entered six substitute plants in the show and romped home an easy winner with two silver cups and 20 prizes.

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