The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-12 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

PROSPECTIVE AND RETROSPECTIVE.
The active business of the racing season was resumed

ast week, and turfites plunged into work with an ear-

fleetness which showed that the labour they delighted in

physicked pain. They assisted at the gatherings at Cc!
ventry on Tuesday, were in attendance at Liverpool on
Wednesday, and on Thursday and Friday were actirely
and energetically pursuing their calling at Nottingham.
The Grand National Steeplechase was the leading inci-
dent of the week, and whatever be the merits or de-
merits of the competitors, and the degenerated character
of the sport, it occasioned an encounter of stirring and
enduring interest. The Irish Brigade showed in all its
wonted formidableness. The winner was an Fish

horse, ridden by an Irish jockey, and backed almost
exclusively by Irishmen, who, however, took only
slight revenge on Saxon book makers. Indeed, so
limited was the support which the Wanderer received

;hat the Leviathan of the ring " never wrote his name."

Wanderer is one of these horses which I have heard

described as being "rum 'uns to look at, but good 'une
to go." In appearance he is mean and insignificant, and
on a casual inspection seems more like a second class
hunter than a first-rate steeplechaser. The style, how-
ever, in which he " performed" proved him to be a
clever jumper, and an animal possessing a good tarn of
speed. The patience and judgment with which be was
ridden by Hanlon, not a little contributed to his success.
His victory, however, created a slight sensation, for it
was almost generally believed, even among his own par-
tizans, that Boundaway would beat him. Wanderer is
the property of Mr. Mathew Dunn, of Pimchestown.
Trout maintained the position of leading favourite to
the close. He was accompanied to Aintree by Bow-
ton. The Wolverhampton folk were "on" to a man,
and they calculated with much certainty upon his sue
cess. Still the suspicions which I expressed in The Sun
relative to his "understandings" were, I discovered,
founded on fact, for I bad ocular proof of his leg being
full of inflammation. The manner, too, in which he ran
would indicate that, his trial with Bourton must have
been very deceptive.
After being long "bottled up," and expressly reserved
for this event, after having received the most cereful
preparation under the most able hands, Miss Motbray
resumed her jumping career only to bring it to a violent
end. On recrossing Beecher's brook she struck tht rails
and pitched heavily on her head. Thu injuries which
she sustained in her terrific fall were of a complcated
character, and she almost instantly expired. This un-
fortunate occurrence sorely disappointed her owner, who
had backed her for a large stake. Her success, however,
was more than doubtful even before her accident, for to
me she appeared in " difficulties" in passing the stand
in the first time round, and jockeys, who rode is the
race, informed me that when she fell she was almost
dead beat. The ill-luck which attended her owner
at Oundle, with the patched-up British Yeoman,
pursued him to Coventry with Oscar, and vented its,
full spite at Aintree. The alleged cause of Green's not
riding Need wood is the accident with which he met at
Coventry on the preceding day.
Needwood's light appearance before the race was
scarcely calculated to encourage his backers, aad his
equivocal performance was little likely to make them
satisfied. Still, it is said that his owner was actually
1n earnest ; but to such base uses has the sport degen:-
rated that the slightest mistake or error of judgment
seems sufficient to awaken and justify suspicion.. There
is a report that he was sold the day before the race fir
1,1001. The faith which was placed in Dangerous was rut
a little astonishing to those who were acquainted wi;11
the hero's ignoble " antecedents." Old Maurice Da4
looked so fresh and well that he was widely fancied, and
just before the lace he was perhaps backed for more
money than all the outsiders together. He ran forwael
enough to show that his backers had good grounds fir
their fondness. By the way, even the appearance el
" Black Tom" in the saddle was insufficient to counter-
act the strong opposition which set in most ominously
against Bastion.
Time will not permit me to refer to the racing at Not-
tingham, where, however, the proceedings presented no
especial "features" of importance.
Winter has again come " te rule the varied year,' and
the probability exists of its yet lingering to " chill the
lap of May." Whether, however, it will be sufficiently
severe to again utterly spoil sport, I am not sufficiently
weatherwise to determine. Being in tho hurry of
packing up and starting for Derby, I can only briefly
express my opinion on the events appointed for decision
on Tuesday and Wednesday at Doncaster.
Fearless, Kennyside Hero, Sicily, and Jaok Stepp►rd
attract attention for the Trial Stakes. All, however,
except the first mentioned, have incurred penalties for
previous winnings. Still, with a start, I shall " stand
upon" Sicily and Jack Sheppard. Fearless and Kenny-
side Hero are also engaged for the Sheffield and Rother-
ham Plate, for- which they are handicapped at we;whte
which may induce their respective owners to let them do
battle for it. Falcon, too, is also " in" on advantageous
terms, while Sheppard's stable is well represented by
Snowdon Dunhill and Catherine Parr.
Free Trader's running at Liverpool is sufficient to
render his chance for the Doncaster Steeplechase some-
what formidable. The " lot," lat present fancy, com-
prises Free Trader, Maurice Daley, and St. Arnaud.
I do not, however, profess to a very searching know-
ledge of the probabilities which affect a steeplechase.
Alonzo is unquestionably weighted leniently fcr the
Doncaster Handicap, and I shall expect to see Lim oc-
cupy one of the foremost positions in the race. Jack
Leeming and Prince Plausible have incurred penalties
by their achievements last week. The latter's chance
is not, however, destroyed. The unlucky King of
Trumps and little St. Clare must not be slightingly re-
garded should they go to the post.
For the Betting Room stakes, Sicily and Scalade
are entitled to notice.
So much uncertainty exists relative to the engage.
meats at Salisbury, that it would be useless to refer to
them. Should they even "stand," however, they will
possess only slight and temporary interest.
A FRESH MAN.

DONCASTER SPRING MEETING.—MAitcn 13

AND 14.

PROGRAMME OF THE SPORT.

The TRIAL STAKES of 7 sots each, 3 ft, with 30 added ;
for three-year olds, fist 101 b ; four, Bst 71b ; five, 9st ;
F,ix and aged, 9st 31b ; mares and geldings allowed
31b ; and maiden three-year-olds at the time of start
ing allowed 31b ; four, 51b ; and upwards, 71b ; win
ners of 200 sous at any one time to carry 51b; twice
101 b ; and thrice, 141 b extra. T.Y.C. 13 subs.
Age

Fearless
Palmerston 3
Priestcraft
Beresina
Kennyside Hero 4
Van Winkle 3
The Princess

Sicily

Jack Sheppard
Noll Gwynne 3
Bourgeois
Rosebud
Elastic

The HOPEFUL STAKES of 5 sovs each, with 100 added,
for two-year-olds ; colts, Bst 7st ; fillies and geldings,
Bst 31b ; a winner before starting to carry 41b extra ;
the second to receive 20 soya out of the stakes. Half-a-
mile. 62 subs.

The SHEFFIELD and ROTHERHAM PLATE of 50 sovs
(Handicap), for three-year-olds and upwards. Last
mile.

Age st lb Age st lb
Snowdon Dunhill 5 8 13 Ida 3 6 0
Bourgeois
Kennyside Hero 4 8 5 Lkyla. 3 6 0
Rosebud 5 8 2 Nell Gwynne 3 15 3
Falcon
Catherine Parr.... 5 7 10 eimicina
Mrs. Birch a 7 7 Lady of the Lodge 3 5 12
Middlesborough 4 7 6 The Heiress ...... 3 5 10
Caliph
Master Slender... 6 7 0 Miss Hatch
Corin - ... 3 5 6
Westwood 6 7 0 Palmerston
Dan Cupid 4 6 11 Knight of the Vil-
Wasp a 610 lags 3 5 5
Firebrand 4 6 6 Fearless
Biren 3 6 0 Tom Tit 3 5 0
The GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of 15
sovs each, 10 ft, and only 5 if declared, with 101
added ; a winner of 100 sovs clear, after the weights
are published, once, 71b ; twice, or a winner of 300
sovs clear, 101 b extra ; the second to save his stake.
About three miles and three-quarters, over the usual
steeplechase course. 41 subs, Bof whom declared.

Age st lb
Bourton
Trout
Retail 1 10 6
Augustine(in. 101 n

Age of lb
Columbine a 9 6
Hat-box a 9 6
St. Arnaud (h b) 5 9 6
Little Charley
Cut-away
Free Trader
Star of England a 9
Clarion, geld. (kb) a 9 4
Teddesley
The Greek
Seaman
MauriceDaley(hb) a 9
Warwick
Burnt Sienna a 9 2
Stafford (h b) a 8 12
Liberator
IMiss Mowbray dead

rinleosextsailikiolrest Queen al6i. 11009 1035
Wanderer ('‘ . 1
: ..... a 10 2
oex,)a-w-
Bu ay1.:)1
..i).b a 10 2
Spring .............. ) 6 10 0
Odibana (h 1.)) 6lO 0
a 9 121
Escape
Potter 6 9 7
witht. 25 added ;
The Poet
Janus a 9 7
Simple Peter a 9 6
The JMUNICIPAL STAKES of 5 BON'S el.cho,
for three-year-olds and upwards
weights, &c. ; the second to save his stake, One Belling
—ne ni.‘
and a quarter. Closes this day (Monday). nu
WEDNESDAY.

TILE DONCASTER HANDICAP STAKES of 10 sous each, 5
It, and only 3 if declared, with 100 it (140(1; a rimier