The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-23 00:00:00

'SPORTING NOTES.

THE PIMP SPRING.--LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.

The game which has been so long and perplexingly
played Avith St. Hubert and Lord of the Isles, for the
Two Thosusuld and Derby, will be soon brought to a
conclusion. Its result is already somewhat significantly
indicated, if there be any faith in the assurances and
actions of St. liubert's supporters. Still people mutter
ominous sayings about dark horses, and despite the fact
of Mr. Howard's believing that in St. Hubert he pos-
sesses a " rattling animal," the investments in the turf
market have been calculated to strengthen their sus-
picions, and to show that the ring entertain a contrary
opinion. The demonstration which was made at
Tattersall's on Thursday, however, produced a
telling effect, for it was sustained with an
evident earnestness which indicated that its origin was
not derived from what, in the slang of the ring, is called
"kid." The offer made by a noble lord to take 7,000
to 1,000 about him for the Derby, and 700 to 400 for the
Two Thousand, caused almost as much consternation and
dismay among his opponents as the descent of a shell
amidst a "quiet" bivnuack-party before Sebastopol.
Hostility against St. Hubert, indeed, was temporarily
stayed when the " stable commissioner" followed up his
well-directed blow by taking,l,4oo to 200 for the Derby,
and expressing a desire to do business at the carne odds to
the amount of 500/.

Despite the bolstering, bonnetting, and boastings of
his party, and notwithstanding the incontestible merit
which the horse displayed last year at Good wood, I am
disinclined to regard the Lord of the Isles with favour,
and I am fully prepared to see him disgracefully beaten.
This conviction is honest, and if I have made an error
of judgment in forming it I will honestly acknowledge
it, but I must first have ocular proof that my opinion is
unsound. At York Lord of the Isles was backed by his
owner both for the Two Thousand and Derby, with
seemingly unshaken confidence, but the eager desire
which existed to accommodate him- to any amount was
not a little significant. Indeed the question is naturally
suggested "If either St. Hubert or Lord of the Isles
win the double event, where are the backers of the suc-
cessful horse to get their money from ? "
Curious anecdotes are told respecting the manage-
ment of both St. Hubert and Lord of the Isles, but I
trust for the credit of certain persons they are only
founded on idle gossip. That there has been a row at
Findon all people seem agreed, but I shall at present re-
main silent with regard to the alleged facts of the case.
By the way, some s►y fellows pretend to an exact know-
ledge of St. Hubert's trial, and state, with evident be-
lief in the goodness of the joke, that Mr. H. rode St.
Hubert, and Mr. G. Oulston, and that St. Hubert won
" ever so far." Not satisfied with this, however, it is
further asserted that a second trial took place, and that
Mr G. then rode St. Hubert, and Mr. P. Ou!Ston, aid
that the " Saint" won by nearly double the distance he
accomplished on the first occasion !
Only two horses seem to be backed for the Two
Thousand. Claret is, at the time I write, third favourite.
Polydore, who has been betted against throughout the
winter "as if he were dead," is now talked about
most ominously, and the tone of the market in reference
to him is decidedly unfavourable. He was, it is cur-
rently reported, tried oa Saturday, and found wanting.
Some persons even regard his starting as doubtful.
Rumour states that the Cave Adullatn will be brought
out for this race. She is, lam informed, a fine mare, of
much mark and likelihood. So far, however, as she is
concerned, I belong to the " know-nothing" sect. Baron
Rothschild's interest, too, will, it is reported, be repre-
sented by a dark horse named Hampden. The following
list comprises the most probable

STARTERS TOE THE Iwo THOUSAND.
Kettleby. Vandal.
Pugnator. Claret.
Paletut. Polydore.
Kingstown. Hampden.
St. Hubert. The Cave Adullam.
Lord of the Isle?.

The three last-mentioned animals may, perhaps, be
marked doubtful.

The unequivocal manner in which I have expressed
my opinion respecting St. Hubert and Lord of the Isles
has, undoubtedly, indicated my " bias." A close race
may be made between the Findon and Woodyate's
stable, but I shall, nevertheless, back "Honest John"
against " Sweet "William," and shall go fur the father
without, I trust, faring worse, for deserting the son.
In plain words, I am prepared to see

ST. HUBERT THE WINNER,
With either KINGSTOWN or PUGNATOR second.

Habena is reported somewhat off. I am informed
that she was not out yesterday morning. I shall not,
therefore, be surprised to see Mosquito impart the sting
of defeat to Clotiides backers. Should De Clare start
for the Newmarket Stakes be may pull through. Ru-
mour says he is en, route, and that "Grmculus" will be
left at home. The appearance of either of them, how-
ever, will depend much upon the state of the ground,
which would be materially benefitted by a good shower
of rain. Last night in the Subscription Room 10 to 1
was currently offered agst De Clare for the Derby.
The minor races excite so little interest at present
that I shall nut unnecessarily occupy space by indu'ging
in any flights of fancy respecting their probable result.
A FRESH MAN.
Newmarket, Monday Morn7ng, 8 a.m.