The Express.
London, England, 1868-05-28 00:00:00

TO VHS IDITOR 01 TIM 11PR169.

filli„—One of the most eventful of the eighty-
nine Dertrys ever contested has pseud away, and I am
!sorry to say the impressions it must leave on the minds
of the lovers of the national pastime—whose earns is
legion, as the tremendous muster on Epsom Downs yester-
day bean witness—eannot be of the pleasantest. What s
thrilling rhaodealrat to the eleventh-hour scratch-
ing of The Earl was the " incident " of his
stable-companion, Lady Elizabeth, being almost left at the
post, followed by the victory of the Lone he beat
only six weeks ago, in the Craven Biennial at Newmarket !
How easily his lordship would have won had he been
allowed to start is a m►tter concerning which I should
scarcely like to take the opinion of his disappointed
backers ; but it will be readily admitted that he stood a
very fair chance, and his sensitive party will scarcely
be so offended by any strictures that may be passed upon
their tactics as they were when a Vigilant propounder of
the laws (I memo and tunm stirred them op over old
scores. Their line of conduct stands out in marked con-
trast to that pursued by Sir Joseph Hawley, who, not-
withstanding that he stood to win literally nothing on
Blue Gown, and some 80,000 e. on either Green Sleeve or
Resicracian, allowed the pet of the public to run- -
and who had little more than a loud cheer, coupled
with the honour of winning his fourth Blue
Itiband, for his pains. It is unless, however, deploring
a four pas that is scarcely likely to be repeated bv the
same party ; and I make it a rule, too, to deal more with
the quadrupeds than the bipeds that grace or disgrace the
Turf. It may safely be asserted that the nineteen compe-
titors of to-day rather disgraced the Derby than other-
wise, for one half the field were good for nothing,
and half the remainder were either only half
trained or overdone. The great crack, Lady Eliza-
beth, did not show in the paddock—nor did she
risk the ordeal of a canter put the stand ; but it was
known long before the race that she was "sweating" in a
most alarming manner, and when it was discovered that
she had to be held at the starting-post, the old fears as to
her getting off gained fresh ground. In the canter, no-
' thing went better than Pace until he broke down, a mis-
fortune that showed how hopeless his chance always
must have been ; and I should not be surprised at his
companion, Speculum, cracking up some day, for he not
only looked lighter than on the City and Suburban
day, but at least half his legs were inclined to the" dicky"
side. The two other handicap celebrities did not give
much greater satisfaction—Orion's weak loins raising
strong doubts as to his getting the course, and Paul
Jones, despite his taking style of going, appearing of too
common an order for even this year's Derby, besides which
he had evidently not done over well since Cheater.
The pick of the bunch were undoubtedly
Suffolk and Sir Joseph's three, albeit Rosicru-
clan was not nearly up to concert pitch ; and
after these, See Saw and Forest King were the most taking
to the eye. Neither of this pair, however, was up to the
mark, See Saw having evidently done badly of late ; and
it is to be hoped they will see better days. Samson, who
broke down in the race, bad evidently never been capable
of standing a preparation ; and another " broker," Fran-
chise, was out of her element, ea King Alfred appeared to
be also before the start. How hisMajestywugot within half
a length of winning beats creation, especially that portion
thereof who knew the rogue Suffolk could give him 2llb. ;
and yet there are many who swear that with a more patient
jockey in the saddle be would have won ! Of count, the
friends of l'ncas and the Tom Bowline colt drew long
faces after the race, as each beat the King easily in turn,
and ought to have won the Derby ; but it would never do
to depend upon a " line " drawn from the running of the
Baron's horses, and perhaps the next time the second for
the Derby performs be will be nowhere in moderate
company. Whether Lady Elizabeth will improve on her
Derby programme in the Oaks is yet to be seen, and if she
cannot run first or second there will be no excuse for
her whatever, as the field is certain to be a small one, the
following comprising about all I have heard of as likely to
start :

Owner. Filly. Sire. Jockey.
Mr. 0. Jones .... Formosa Buccaneer.... .1. Adams
Lord Hastings.... Lady klizabeth
Sir J. Hawley .... Green Sleeve Beadsman.... Well.
Mr. G. Holmes .. Virtue Stockwell ... . Snowden
Mr. M. Dawson .. lady Coventry .... Thormanby .. Daley
Duke of Hamilton Monte or Clemence Newmtnster.. Aldcroft
Mr. Padwick .... Athena
Counide 1 Sarah
Mr. W. Davies.... Fair Stu Capt. ryaway G. Sopp
One or two more of the " ragged lot " may join issue with
Formosa, Lady Elizabeth, Green Sleeve, Virtue, and Lady
Coventry ; but beyond this quintette it is useless looking for
the winner, as we have had convincing proof that neither
Leonie nor Athena can stay, and Sarah is almost as
common as her name. There is every opportunity for an
Oaks surprise, safe as Formosa appears to hold everything
now, the doubt whether she will stay being strong ; besides,
Lady Elizabeth may get off better this time ; and when
the lot ale all stripped 1 am certain there will not be •
finer lady among them than Green Sleeve, who was not
persevered with in the Derby when beaten. Virtue, again,
has mended considerably since the One Thousand day, and is
so well bred that it is impossible to ignore her pretensions
after the good second she ran to Blue Gown and Green
Sleeve last year ; nor is Lady Coventry to be altogether
despised, Matthew Dawson being always dangerous when
he means business. However, it would be against all
common sense not to stand Formosa as the winner; and
perhaps Green Sleeve is the most likely of the outsiders to
effect a surprise.
The only other events I can deal with are the Foal
Stakes, which Vale Royal will win, and the Two-year-old
Plate. In the latter, the Hermione *eh has an allowance
at present, and consequently he ought to win.-1 am,
Thursday morning. METEOR.

EPSOM MEETING.-(THIS DAY.)

NEWCASTLE STAKES.
Hatcbment
Tribune
Hammertoe
TADWORTH STAK.ZS.
Wild Blood ...
Traviata
Luneße c
STAND CUP.

Clarion - -- - -
Attack c
Lord Palmerston
10 ran.
THE OAKS.
5 to 4 on Formosa (t)
to 1 apt Virtue (0
SORATt H ED.—Green Sleeve, at 2.20 this day.
QUEEN'S PLATE. Two miles and • quarter.
Miss Skerratt, Queen of the Forest, Curfew Bell, Hippia,
Tormentor, Pskrita, and Traviata are here.
TWO-YEAR-OLD STAKE. Half a mile.

Sim. to totosijuciSn. Bet,
'barker, Lady Margaret, Diamond, Blairbuie, Le Saphir,
Glen StnaM, Chivalry, Director, Herrnione, and Sezi
Breeze are here.
WALTON STAKES. Half a mile.
Blackboy., Pompeii, Rhododendron, Valentia, Turf.
tiloe, Paulin., Cyclamen, Lady Lofty f, and Lelia are
hers.
FOURNEAR•OLD STAKES. One mile and a half.
Fervacynes here.
Amuvr.o.—Vergisa-mein-nicht, Fair Star, Vernlam,
Badrworth, and Actress.

INDIA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN MAILs.
Gnus, M&r 19.—The Mongolia, with the above mails, left
for Suez to-day. The Malta, from Hong Hoag let Mak,
arrived on the 16th.
QUEENSTOWN, MAY 28.—The National Steam-
ship Company's steamer Erin, from New York, arrived
hare at 3 a.m. te-day with 54,000 dole. in specie. She
landed passengers and proceeded for Liverpool.
MR BED:DT'S VISIT to LIVERPOOL. —We