The Sun.
London, England, 1855-09-10 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

THE ST. LEGER.

The latest movements in the Turf Market have con-
tributed little to the stock of information which the
public already possess respecting the probable compe-
titors for the St. Leger. One important demonstration
was, however, made on Saturday, and it has since been
cell sustained. Lord of the Isles
_retreated under the
effect of a powerful " battery" which was opened against
him, and the discomfiture of his partisans seems come
plete. That he will recoverhis lost position is impro-
bable, for the opposition which he encountered came
from well-informed quarters, and was steady and deter-
mined. The precise cause of the horse's retrogression is
not exactly known ; but it is generally believed that the
fears which were excited about his strait stilty legs have
been realised, and that he has broken down. Under
these circumstances, therefore, it would be useless to
discuss the St. Leger pretensions of Lord of the Isles.
111-omened reports have been industriously circulated
about Rifleman. The tactics of his party have been
questioned and "intentions" brought under suspicion.
The betting is, however, uninfluenced by these unfavour-
able rumours, whose only foundation is apparently in
ill-nature and prejudice. If they had any other origin
their effect on the market would be at once perceived,
for dismay would be rapidly spread through the ranks
of his partisans, and Rifleman would retrograde point
by point in the betting. Ever since his elevation to the
premiership he has through good and through evil report
maietained his position with significant steadiness, and
the powerful reaction in favour of Oulston has not evi-
dently shaken the confidence of his supporters. In for-
mer communications I have set forth at length the
soundness of Rifleman's pretensions, and on Thursday
last I brought his chance into no "odious comparison"
with that of Oulston. The betting has attested the
truth of the remarks which I then made, andthe result
of the race seems likely to prove the soundness of the•
opinions I expressed. I then stated, " Were I well on.
Oulston and Rifleman, I should await the issue of
the encounter with no desponding expectations." Events
have confirmed my partiality for these two horses, and
I have no hesitation in stating my conviction that I
deem the race virtually reduced to a match between
them. Oulston will go to the post with all the advan-
tages of a Danebury preparation, and it is said that his
condition will be such as to inspire his partisans with
hope and confidence. The pace will, it is expected, be
tremendous, and fears are entertained of the effect which
the hardness of the ground will produce upon Rifleman's
legs, whilst the opponents of Oulston aver that the com-
petitors will go "such a duster" up the hill that the
Danebury horse, who is reported "thickened in the
wind," will be completely "choked off." These fore-
bodings, however, lam not inclined to entertain. The
comparative merit of Rifleman and Oulston has been so
frequently discussed, and their performances are so well
known to the merest turf tyro, that I shall not occupy
space by a re-consideration of the subject, to which it is
impossible to impart either novelty or instruction.
Capucine may be deemed the third favourite. Her
running at York was sufficient to excite expectations of
her chance, which must not, however, be too eanguinely
indulged. " Scott's lot" makes no figure in the betting.
Whether it will be represented by Greculus Esuriens
or Marchioness, or by both those animals, it is some-
what difficult to determine. Report states that Grmculus
is sound and well, but short of preparation, whilst Mar-
chioness is, it is asserted, dead amiss. The truth or
falsity of these rumours I have ha I no opportunity of
discovering. Whichever animal John Scott starts shall
not be slightingly regarded by A Fresh Man. Of the
outside civision, however, no animal appears to me so
worthy of notice as R 'therham, who has, when least
expected, displayed racing ability of a somewhat higL
order. He is a fine-looking horse, with splendid action,
and may occupy a prominent place in the return of the
race.

Little trustworthy information is obtainable about the
Clementina colt, who, however, is believed to be an
animal of a superior stamp. Whether he will be allowed
to start is not yet determined, as, Sir Roger de Coverley
would say, much may be said on both sides of the ques-
tion, lam inclined to take Admiral Rous's views of
the matter. The uncertainty, however, which at pre-
sent exists reletive to= the qualification of Mu, clasnen.,
tina cots compels me, whatever favourable opinion I
might otherwise be inclined to entertain of the horse, to
disregard his chance entirely and allow no consideration
of it to affect the conclusion at which I have arrived as
to the result of the race. Saucebox, Blooming Heather,
and other outsiders, have pretensions too slender to
require notice.

Mr. Puff says that when critics agree their unanimity
is wonderful. The same remark applies with equal force
to sporting write's, who have only with one exception
pronounced judgment in favour of the " Squire's Horse,"
still, although lam compelled to record my preference
for