Hesseltine agreed and the trial was run, Merlin winning narrowly; but Frampton and Strickland each had instructed their groom to double-cross the other by secretly adding extra weight to their own horse, and both therefore believed they would win the race easily!
Hesseltine agreed, and the test was conducted, with Merlin emerging victorious by a narrow margin. However, Frampton and Strickland had secretly instructed their horses to sabotage each other's chances, leading both to confidently anticipate an easy victory.