"LIKE DROWNED RATS"

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 132, 4 June 1926, Page 7

"LIKE DROWNED RATS"

LONDON, 2nd June.

Sheets of rain swept Epsom Downs from daylight, and hundreds of people who had. camped overnight were like drowned rats. Thousands more who arrived by trains found the place practically a great lake, many taking the train back home. -The roads bore a gigantic procession of vehicles, but once embarked it was impossible for anyone to turn back. The wheels chopped the sodden ground, and buses and motors'sank axle-deep, while the town of Epsom was packed with miserable racegoers sheltering in'every available nook. The half-mile dash to the enclosures reallyrequired punts, and the whole course was a vast vista of dripping umbrellas and covered vehicles, while it was impossible for passengers to alight, owing to the quagmire. Within an hour of the race the rain poured down pitilessly, and at the moment of starting it became heavier, and the course developed into a mist. The downpour washed' off s the bookmakers' odds, aud attempts to rewrite them on the blackboard were abandoned. The conditions provided a very severe test of the good humour for!which Londoners are noted, and it must be frankly admitted that they did not come out of the ordeal with flying colours. Conditions became worse in the afternoon, heavy buses .becoming bogged-hopelessly, straw having to be laid to' facilitate their exit, while the journey homewards occupied hours. •