The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-04-19 00:00:00

IBossetobirt.
_____•_.
101t8ETSHIRE HUNT STEEPLE CHASES.

ElTSwaltos :—Lord PoManors, Bon. W. H. B.
'orttnan, M.P., C. J. Ratiolyffe, FAR, 0. W •
hgby, Esq., and C. 'Jambe°, Esq.
Another year has glided almost imperceptibly into
he ocean of time since we last narrated the doings
onneeted with the Dorset'hire Hunt Steeple
Imam, and now, as on former oossaioss, sr,e
gam rat . 14 cur chronicling the events of this yefir •
"lung, tad laying before the public a brid review
if the principal events in oonnection with the sports
*hick task pkos at Wadden Vale on Wediamdfy.
In so Mg we do not intend Is narrate the ilia
which os in oar journeyinp althea to or from
lb* Vale ; we always make it • point of leweing self
out of ties question, sad, shoold die fates will Aso,
rather chronicle the misfortune* of others than our

OWD.
Of course, the probability of what kind of
weather it was likely to be on the event-
ful day gave rise to • large scope for dis-
cussion, but whatever might have been urged,
one thing is very certain, that • brighter and more
cheerful day could not bays been selected, and
formed • striking contrast to that of last year, when
the Vale was enveloped in so thick • fog that the
bones and riders were almost imperceptible at •
short distance, whilst • heavy rain damped the
clothes as well as the spirits of the most devoted
votaries of the turf. The last few days of fine
weather had made the course all that could be wished
for, and then was nothiag which seemed to prevent
the chases from going
_off in fisse-class manner.
_ _ ' •

The roots to time fah from Darcheeter and Wey-
mouth was fall of life sod activity. Carriage after
cerriage followed in rapid 1100081111108. from the gen.
tleman's equipage and pair, with tiger behind, to
the jolting oar with • poor. kook that saaresly seemed
&hie to draw its heavy freight, whilst the number
who travelled by *hankie pony was very large.
The same at the Vale was very animated,
tboneands of spectators being scattered about the
hill, from wheoos • first rata view of the whole of
the worse was obtained. A long line of carriages
wag drawn up on the opium, which was tilled with
gaily ladies and gentlemen. In order to
aeoonimedate the wants of the inner man, several
speenlating individuals provided creature comfort&
for the thousands in attendance, and it is almost
needier to state that they drove • thriving trade.
A oonaiderable improvement hae been made by
sharing tbsureterace from which the bOIIIIIM for.
merly , and from shame it was impossible
to ens them for some time, whereas now the darting
place is very distinct, and the first stage of the race
sae be easily seen. Another improvement, and •
great oonvenienoe for jockeys, is the erection of •
liming tent, which must have proved a source of
great oomfort to them. Notwithstanding the line
weather, we think that the attendance of the public
was not so large as on previous 000ssion•

- - -
Under the directions of the hon. eacreMry, the
various MOM were ran with greet proclaim,
and the rani arrangements were most
effectually carried out. Mr. Compton officiated as
umpire. Soon the, one o'clock Me bell rung for
weighing, and soca alter. amidst arias at "they are
off," the first stake' was run for.
Tim WADDODI VAL' &mum. of 3 son. each, with

30 mon. ~died:

1 Mr. Hanibro's "Tatum." - • (Mr. G. Barry 1 I
Mr. H. Mayo's" Yeoman." • • (Mr. C. Friend 2
Mr. Henley's "Doctor."- • (Mr. B. G. Hussy 3
Mr. W. Syinoods's "Jack." - • (Mr. T. Spear 4
A very good start was made, the bones being
well up together; Doctor took the lead by • few
lengths, followed by Tatum, Yeoman, and Jack.
This was not altered for some little distance. Jack
fell soon after Marling, and did not join in the race.
The other hone* did not alter their position until
striving at about the third fence, when Doctor
fell, Tatum taking the lead, followed at • respectable
distance by Yeoman. Doctor being almost entirely
out of the raos Tatum maintained the lead, hotly
pursued by Yeoman, whilst Doctor wee gradually
creeping up. On arriving at the wall the horses
went over capitally, Yeoman being • good second.
When about two femme from the winning poet •
most exciting race home took place between
Yeoman and Tattun, the horses being almost neck
and neck. On arriving at the last jump Tatum
surceeded in getting over the pp first, but Yeoman
gained upon her and • neck-and-neck raoe to the
winning post took place. Both horses, however,
appeared to have had quite enough of it, and
Yeoman pullod up when within • few pans of
reaching the goal, thus allowing Tatum to win by
about half a length. Doctor we. • considerable
distance behind.
Tug Oran &mute Cetus (Handicap) of 10 son.
each, b. ft., with 60 soya added.
Mr. Bidgood's " Firefly," • • • - (Ownerl 1
Mr. Land's "Cumberland," • (Mr. B. Lead, jun. 2 ,
Mr. B. G. Russia "Centrshit," • (Mr. Hassey 3
Mr. Carter's " Veneer," • - • (Mr. J. Hut.) 4
The early part of the race was somewhat straggling,
Firefly taking the lead, leaving the other hums a 1
emilderable distances behind. At starting, Csatrebit
promised to be • good snood, but unfortunately 1
noon after refused some hurdles. Cumber- '
land then took second place and Fencer third.
It was thought by many that Firefly would win the .
race easily as she was sorb a considerable distant* I
ahead of the other horses; bet although she won
she was not allowed to do so very easily. When
about half-way around the coarse Veneer got entirely
out of the race, and did not join in it any more.
Centrebit had by this time began to creep up,
whilst Cumberland was gaining at every stride upon
Firefly, and continued to do so, when on arriving at
the two lest fences many lengths did not separate
them. Cumberland still motioned to gain, when on
clearing the lest fence both horses almost jumped it
together, Firefly, however, being slightly in front.
This his rider did not seem at all inclined to lose,
notwithstanding that Cumberland's rider used his
utmost to gain first plus. A very suiting rem then
took plan, which ultimately resulted in Firefly
winning by about two lengths. Centrebit was • bad
third.