The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-10 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

LIKINGS FOR LIVERPOOL.

Mr. Topham is compelled to work hard to sistain
the popularity of the Liverpool Meeting. Unaided by
the merchant princes of the locality, with begrudged and
niggardly pecuniary assistance from the innkeepers, and
with efforts occasionally paralysed and counteracted by
the caprices of the respected Lord-Lieutenant of the
county, he stoutly carries on his undertaking with
liberality of expenditure which scarcely insures him what
shopkeepers call small profits and quick returns. Still,
despite the discouraging difficulties which he annually
encounters, he invariabiy provides a supply of sport,
which for the time being commands the undivided atten-
tion of the racing community. The programme noW
under notice comprises eighteen items, affording ins
events per diem, and for the majority of the stakes cow
paratively large fields will be brought out, and interest-
ing races occasioned.

The proceedings will commence to-morrow with the
Croxteth Stakes, for which the nominations will be
made to-night. The Mersey Stakes is likely to intro-
duce Artillery to the publio--a favourably-mentioned
candidate for the " Blue Riband of the Turf." Rumor
is busy respecting his racing ability ; some reports, in•
deed, state that he is as good as Comfort, at even
weights (?) Should Dramatist, however, go to the post.
he will severely test the powers of Artillery.
Among the nominations for the Lancashire Oaks
are Dame Judith, Ellermire, Marchioness, Blooming
Heather, Lady Tatton, Capucine, and Bianca. Who'
ther the mares that ran first and second for the Oaks
will meet on this occasion is at present beyond my ken
to determine. Should both go to the post, I shall 11.94
be surprised to see their Epsom positions reversed. In
their absence I shall, perhaps, be induced to place faitk
in Ellermire.

The race for the United Trainers' Handioap will be
only interesting from the fun which it is likely to oocs'
sion. For the Bentinck Testimonial Handicap Earll
Bird and Exile of Erin are entitled to consideration ;
the latter, however, may, after all, be withdrawn. In
that case his place in my " fanby " will be occupied II
Catherine Parr.

Rylstone is disqualified for the Derby Handicap by
the death of his nominator, Mr. J. J. Henderson.
Should Dervish and the Assayer start they will doubt•
less be first and second.

Although speculation on the Liverpool Cup has not
been remarkably brisk, yet on paper the betting seems
good enough. The badness of the handicap caused the
acceptornces to be universally insignificant, and the field
will doubtless be proportionably small. The following
are the must probable starters :

Age st lb 1 Age St lb
Goorkah
lanthe
Ammonia
Seducer 4 7 5 Cock of the North 3 6 8
Shoreham

Cock Pheasant received considerable support yester.
day at the Corner, and was at one time unquestionably
a better favourite "for money" than Shoreham. That
he is an animal of moderate stamp only his performances
fully attest, yet frequent proofs have been afforded of
his gameness and his staying qualities. If sound and
well, I shall be inclined to trust him on the present
occasion, for he has the best of the weights, and will not
meet an opponent of vastly superior pretensions. The
manner in which Shoreham has been occasionally ope-
rated upon has excited suspicion. If, however, his
chance be considered, independently of the movements
in the turf market, its formidableness will be apparent.
On paper he looks the most dangerous of Cock Phea-
sant's opponents. Expectations are entertained of
Ammonia's ability to repeat last year's achievement ;
I, however, do not share in them. Bianca receded
immensely in the betting yesterday; she must be greatly
improved since last year to possess a chance of carrying
off the stake. The eagerness with which Seducer was
backed on Saturday caused him to be advanced promi-
nently into notice. I, however, scarcely deem him ca-
pable of conceding a year to Cock Pheasant. Goorkah
seems " quiet "in the market. Still should he be in-
tended for this event, I shall regard him with some par-
tiality. It is said that he is now as good as ever he was.
The three animals which I shall " stand on " against
the field are Goorkah, Cock Pheasant, and Shoreham.
The "absolute" winner will, I anticipate, be