The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-19 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.
(By our own Turf Correspondent.)

THE LINCOLNSHIRE HANDICAP

LIVERPOOL GRAND NATIONAL.

Never were the public more at variance in their
opinion than they are at present with reference to
the candidates for the Lincolnshire Handicap, and
the same may be said of the different stables as
instance those horses that are engaged in Sherrard's
—who has already had four of his candidates well
supported to win this event, but the question who
by P for surely tbe trainer must know whicn of the
quartette—Peter, Chirper, Elf King, or Althotas is
the best, and that he will not let the different
owners run antagonistic to each oiher. for all four
animals cannot win, and the defeated owners will
have something to say about loosiiig their money
should the winner come from the stable wherein
their animal was trained—candidly its all bosh
about not knowing which is the best, most fit or
the intended of the stable, and to give my opinion
iespecting this stable I shall at once declare in
favour of Elf King, who was a smart animal last
year. Henry George, trained by Sadler, has a
reputation at home of having done something
wonderful, likewise the money he has been sup-
ported for would almost sink a ship—but why he
was sold out of Goater's stable is a mystery to me
if he is the "clinker" now reported. He certainly
had a good reputation as a two-year old, but tailed
to answer the question as a three-year old, hence
his sale—but four-year olds often come back to
their two-year old form, and with only 7st up,
backed by ilia party he might be dangerous. War
Paint, after being under a cloud, has again come
to the fore; he certainly last back-end finished up
by winning three events off the reel, but it takes It
clinking three-year old at this time of the year to
beat the favourably treated four-year olds—there-
fore, I shall not take him amongst ray lot to beat
the field. Douranee has supplanted Kaleidoscope,
and if better than the latter Peck should again
have a look in. If I was certain that Douranee
could stay the mile I should think highly of her
chance—but she so utterly failed to stay last yt ar
that although favourably treated I shall throw her
over-board. Belfry, trained by Bowler, is reported
as not in good condition, but wben I saw her thil
week she looked and galloped fit to run for a man's
life, and as the stable money is now all right I
think her chance here with only 7st llb second to
none, and those that find a better invesianent wil
have to go far and near to my way of thinking.
Certainly this is one of the most flattering
handicaps ever issued, as the four and five-year
olds seem to be literally thrown iu—still class must
tell, and if we take Peter out of the old'uus,
Kubleborn and Althotas of the youngsterA, the
remainder are a sorry lot—or rather all of a heap—
therefore, as there will be some thirty runners, and
with such a backward winter, he will be lucky
indeed who finds the winner of this the first big
event of the year. Valour in Jewitt's stable, at one
time promised to turn out a warm favourite, but
lately there has been a disposition to back Leghorn
in the same stable, but Valour if fit and well will
take a lot of doing with Archer in the saddle.
Pelleas, trained by Cannon, showed good form last
year by winning the Great Tom Stakes at Lincoln,
and as be is Lord Roseberry's sole representative,
who won with Controversy and Touchet—this
animal may just be able with his light impost to
obtain the judge's verdict for the thirdtime for this
popular nobleman. Mat Dawson will depend on
Kuhleborn, who is reported a better animal than
Tomahawk was. Mars, the old sinner, will repre-
sent Tom Green, of Beverley, and may again
obtain a eitttation. E-sayes is reported to have a
first-class chance, so have Kineton, Invader,
Alchemist and Misenus, the latter of whom won the
Great Shropshire Handicap last back-end, and those
who are fond of coincidences might do worse than
back him, the same as they did with Rosy Cross
last. year. Alec Taylor is quiet with his lot, but when
so is the most to be feared, and the same remark
applies to WSellow, who I expect will have a
favourable candidate before the day. The
American team are not a despisable lot ; but to
make an end of a long story, as there are so many
engaged, I shall take the following quartette to
furnish the winner :—Belfry, Elf King, Valour,
and Henry George, and if I took two .o defeat the
field they shall be