24 APRIL 1926, Page 19

The Ballad of Betsy Ann, by Mr. W. A. Briscoe

(Methuen, 10s. Od.) is the life story of a mare, a sort of versified " Black Beauty " with a touch of " Kissing Cup's Race." The sentiment is charming, the illustrations agreeable, and the book

ends happily ; but we are afraid that no one who ever rode a finish would pass this :

" My master stroked my flanks with the whip As gently as a brave man can,

And again he murmured inside my ear 'Do your best for me, Betsy Ann.' "

It is interesting to reflect how much better Mr. Mascfleldt who has no personal experience of race riding, did this sort of thing in " Right Royal."