The Express.
London, England, 1867-06-05 00:00:00

(FROM OUR SPORTING COFIRLIPONDENr.)

Royal Ascot this year commenced under the most
brilliant auspices, the attendance being of the most
aristocratic character, and the weather truly delightful.
The heath sea honoured by the presence of the Prince of
Wales and an august party from Cliveden, the seat of the
Duchess of Sutherland, near Maidenhead, where his royal
highness is staying for the race week. The general attend-
ance was decidedly the largest ever witnessed on the open-
ing day, and the rank and fashion in the carriages and
stands were of the usual exclusive character. The en-
closure and stand were crowded to excess, and the pre-
sence of a military band playing some lively magic at
intervals between the races considerably enhanced the
effect of the scene. Since the spring gathering, at the
suggestion of the large speculators, an important altera-
tion has been made in the ring, by the apportionment of
a space at the royal stand end for the exclusive use of the
members of the clubs and Tattersall's, the heavy charge of
one sovereign being levied on those desiring the privilege.
Notwithstanding that the large number of 506 availed
themselves of this advantage there was much dissatisfac-
tion generally expressed at the arrangement, as many gen-
tlemen of the highest position and respectability were thus
excluded from betting with the large bookmakers. The
card of the opening day was of the most elaborate de-
scription, nolo** than eight valuable rages being set for
decision, and with such horses as Vauban, Marksman, and
Achievement, to contest them, and confirm or reverse the
truthfulness of the Derby and Oaks running was sufficient
in itself to render the day moat remarkable and impor-
tant. Cecrops, Mader', Savensake, and Regalia were
also among the "atria, thereby maintaining the class of
the older horses. The opening day has formerly been
looked upon as the Ascot Stakes day, but in importance
that race has been quite supersede:l6y the Prince of
Wales Stakes for three-year-olds, colts and fillies, 50
move. each, with the munificent sum of 1,000 added ;
and the race cannot be inappropriately looked
upon as the "Ascot Derby." The racing commenced
at one o'clock with the Trial Stakes, over the New
Mile, 16 of the 20 coloured being weighed for, but Venom-
ous succeeding in throwing her jockey, and not going to
the post, exactly the same number as last year faced the
starter. Ostreger, great horse though be is at the dis-
tance, was asked to do too much when called upon to con-
cede nearly five stone to some of the two-year-olds ; but
despite this be was made favourite at 3to 1. As on the
last anniversary the issue was in favour of an °yielder,
Black Diamond, who furnished a pretty race with the
Catawba filly. This was the winner's flat appearance in
public, having been purchased by Mr. Merry for 700
guineas at the last yearling sale at Eltbam where he had
been bred by Mr. Blenkiron. After the first blush of his
victory 23,000 to 250 was laid against him for the Derby
of next year. lie was claimed by Mr. John
Day, whose representative was claimed by the owner
of Ostreger, who ran into third place. This race was fol-
lowed by the Maiden Plate, which again produced an
immense field, and, as on the last anniversary, produced an
immense " pot " in Roderucian, own brother to the
Palmer. At the close 4to 1 was accepted about him, a
similar price being also taken about Bandit°. The next
in demand were Mr. Briggs and Charnwood. The greatest
excitement was manifested in the Priem of Wales Stakes,
which induced a dozen runners to go to the poet, including
Vauban, Achievement, Marksman, and Van Amburgh.
The second in the Derby was steered by Daley, Fordham
riding his favourite son of Muscovite, while Costume was
released from the tuount of Achievement, and rode Julius,
Cballoner being entrusted with the "Chevrons."
Seville was started with the express purpose
of toning the pace for Vauban ; and true to her
mmion she slipped her horses the moment the flag was
lowered, and led them along at a cracking pace. Vauban
took up the running immediately after leaving the fiwinley
Course, and was never afterwards headed. Achievement
looked formidable on entering the straight, but at the bill
she was pumped out, and Vauban, galloping as strong as
possible, won by ten lengths, Fon:them the while patting
the neck of the Danbury horse. Markman was defeated
some distance ; in fact ha was as nearly as far behind the
mare as in the Champagne Stakes. It is a somewhat re-
markable coincidence that the Duke of Beaufort won this
identical race but year withjiustic, after the son of Stock-
well and Village Lass had, like Vaulters, run third for
the Derby. For the Queen's Stand Plate then, were
nine runners, Speculum being selected as favourite at 5 to
2, while the celebrated miler Cecrops was backed at 5 to 1,
Xi being the next in demand at 100 to 15. Mrs. Stratton
was also backed for a lot of money. The race was a good
one, and won by dint of sheer gameness by Cearope by a
head. Of the 21 coloured for the Ascot Stakes 17 went to
the post, Lord Westmoreland furnishing a very hot
favourite in the colt by Vedette—Vixen, about whom as
little as 5 to 2 was taken, the race being looked upon as a
gift to the "green and silver braid " and Kenyon.
, Gement, who was reported to have woo her trial, was
I backed at 8 to 1, whil•Zenobta, who has Uwe long exposes,
to do a " good thing," went rather queer in the market,
leaving aatloto 1. This long expected coup she landed
at last, winning cleverly by a length from Gomera, the
" pot, " Vixen getting placed third. Suffolk, with odds of
' 3 to 1 on him, made the whole of the running fortbe Tenth
Ascot Biennial Stakea,and buidedthe Baron's colourseasily
by half -a-le The Gold Vase, which last year fell to
Eliland, produced a field of nine runners. Moulsey was
made the favourite at S to 4, while 5 to 1 was taken
about Knight of the Garter, 9 to 1 Regalia, and 10 to 1
about Mail Train, who it will be seen has at last won a
race, defeating Regalia by a neck and doing his backers a
real good turn. Odds of 6to 4 were laid on Savernake for
the Triennial, but the winner turned up in Dalesman, not
backed for a shilling, the favourite failing to stay the dis-
tance. With the exception of one slight shower, the
weather was beautifully fine. The special bunion run from
Waterloo were crowded, and a very large number of
people visited the heath. The following is the result of
the day's races :
Tns TRIAL STAKE; of 5 *ova, each, with 100 added, for all
We; weight for age, with palling allowances. The New Mlle.
.?.1 subs
Mr. Merry's Black Diamond, by Dandee—Focal ;Looo',
ha, tat (Fry 1
Las. Days f by North Linooln—Catawba ,C2OOO, 2 yrs, liet
I Prangle
Mr. Tbellitason's Ostreger (not for male , 5 yrs, lost 9lb ,
Sib ex. Fordham,
Eleven others alas ran .

Betting, 3to I sPt7M;;Mir7r73l;leirt Olive, 10 to 1 apt Be.
clan rad Little Ben, 100 to a each most Marquis of earabas, Ca-
tawba Ally. the Buckenhanis dam filly, and Black Diamond.
A Mamas PLATS of 100 sows., for 2-yr-olds colts, bet 101 b ;
and Mlle., 11M 71b. hall-smile. (SY subs)
BB J. flaisley's Rosicrurian, by kleadman—lf edam Psi-
tontine. fist 10lb (Well, 1
Lord Btainford'sCharownod, eat 1011 s
Duke of Hamilton's Contempt 101 b Edwards;

Nineteen others also ran.
Bettina 4 to 1 each ant Itoelcrnelan and Banditti, sto 1
Mist Mr. Briggs, 10 tit apt Charnwood, and 100 to et apt any
other.

PRISM or WALES'S BTAIM of M nova each, h ft, with
100 n added, for 31-r
-olds ; colts, Mt 10th; finks, test alb; penalties
and allowances; second to receive 100 sore and the third 100.
New coarse (about 1 mite t furlowsrs'.l9Y Babe
Date of Beaufort's Vauban, by Mesouvite—Paleu. Ilb
inc. alb et) Yordham. I
Colonel Peerson's Achievement, Sat 101 b (Inc. Mb ex.)

• fehollonerl
Mr. Merrys Marksman, est lib ;Ine. Mb ex.). J Daley? 3
Nine others also ran.
Betting: 3 to 1 agst Markman. 100 to 30 east Vauban. 4 to 1
agst Achievement. 10 to 1 apt main tilyndisi, Van Anthurch,
and The Padishali. 100 to 8 Mal Julius, and 20 to 1 agst
Tue QTNAN'S STAND PLATE of TOY nova.. added 10 a SWATD•
stakes of 10 soya each, for all agog 47111 Mt for Mk with
penalties and allowance& T.Y.C. Igsubsl
Mr. Yietning's Cagops, by lthwcottrt—thiplana, 4 pi,
gat itilb Me. rib cheerio 1

Manna' of Heating's See Saw. 2 yrs. 641 Itib ...lentier
CASsIs HaLWILSIty'll Mn. Strattnn. 4 yrs, Bs4 Slb (Loans
Six nthers also ran _ _

Betting; 6 to I apt ;PmZama. 6 to ladst Comm 6 to 1 oast
)(1. too to 15 agst Mrs. &Tattoo. 8 to 1 oath apt danger and
Ferman, 100 to li apt mas, sad IN to 1 mg* 800 Saw.