The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-04 00:00:00

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,

GRAND NATIONAL HUNT STEEPLECHASES
AT MELTON MOWBRAY.
When at the commencement of this year the idea of a
National Hunt Steeplechase was mooted wader the auspices
of Lord Grey de Wilton, Mr. W. G. Craven and Mr. B. T.
Angell, having as its distinguishing speciality the induce-
ment held out to the tenant farmers of this county to enter
into a friendly rivalry with each other, and exhibit at the
post the pick of the various Hunts, it met with but little
short of universal approbation. The patent fact, disagree-
able as it was to admit, that our breed of hunters was dete-
riorating, and the demand for good horses consequently far
beyond the supply, was unquestionable. Taking an example
from Ireland, where a large sum is annually given at the
Kildare Hunt Meeting to encourage the breeding of first-
class hunters, and in which pursuit, as our racing annals
show, the sister isle is eminently successful, the promoters
of the scheme have sought to remedy the evil here by the
same means, and by calling on the various Hunts to con-
tribute, admitting the tenant-farmer at half the ordinary
stake, and allowing him to carry less weight, have paved
the way to remove what was rapidly becoming a national
stigma. Foremost among the subscribers was the Prince
of Wales, while the Duke of Beaufort, the Duke of Grafton,
Lord Yarborough, Lord Curzon, and most of our leading
M. F. H., entered warmly into the scheme. The result of
the first attempt has been most gratifying. At the little
village of Burton Lazarus, about two miles from Melton
Mowbray, and in the heart of the modern Quora country,
was assembled en Saturday last a gathering of sporting
men in the truest acceptation of that much-abused word,
together with a vast concourse of the general public such
as no steeplechase fixture has ever succeeded in collecting.
Pitched on a rising ground facing the straight run in, the
Stand, crowded with ladies, afforded as fair a view of the
four-mile course as the nature of it would admit. The day
was brilliantly fine, and the ground in admirable order.
Fifty horses were entered on the card for the great event
—" The Grand National Hunt Steeplechase of 10 sous each,
5 soya for tenant farmers, with 250 added," of which 28
came to the post; and there is reason to believe the number
would have been increased by another dozen but for the
rather formidable appearance of the brook, which daunted
many. Not that it was anything out of the way in breadth,
but the taking off and landing were both bad, it hail to be
cleared twice, and it was pretty generally felt it was not a
jump which a horse towards the close of a four-mile hard
gallop should be called upon take. With this exception,
and this, in our opinion, only applies to the situation of the
brook, there was nothing to complain off. The start was a
magnificent sight. A very fine and even lot of horses faced
Mr. Craven, who officiated on the occasion. All the cele-
brated amateurs of the day were in the saddle, together 1
with many aspirants as yet unknown to fame. In the gleam
of silk and satin, the bright colours dazzling in the sun's
rays, they swept down the course to the dreaded brook, into
which some half-dozen immediately fell, throwing up jets of
water as they splashed in and scattering the spray in
showers—a sight, by the spectators at least, much relished.
Up the hill went the others with varying fortune, Cooks-
boro' and Lord George—the latter steered by a deaf and
dumb rider—lying in front most of the way. We need not
dwell on what is fully described in its proper place. Cooks-
boro' came in an easy winner. Lord George, with the re-
putation of being much the better horse, bolting out of the
curve at the top of the hill, and damaging his chance
thereby. Most of them fenced magnificently. There were no
casualties, aad it was felt that the first " Grand National
Hunt" had achieved a most decided success. Five other
events were decided, but they do not call for any special

comment.
Among the occupants of the Stand were the Earl and
Countess of Chesterfield, Maria Marchioness of Ailesbury,
Earl and Countess of Cardigan, Earl and Countess of Wil-
ton, Earl Grosvenor and Lady Constance Grosvenor, Lord
and Lady Curzon, Mr. G. and Lady Mary Craven, the
Ladies Craven, Lord and Lady Ingestre, the Marquis of
Hastings, the Earl of Coventry, the Earl of Westmoreland,
the Earl of Uxbridge, Lord Grey de Wilton, Lord and Lady
Walter Scott, Hon. G. Fitzwilliam, Col. Hon. J. Macdonald,
Count Batthyany, Lord Andover, Lord Bateman, Lord
Canterbury, Lord Forester, &c.
A Match of 25 soya each, p.p. Last two miles of Grand
National Hunt Steeplechase Coarse.
Mr S. B, Sheward's Workman, 12at.... (Captain Smith) 1
Viscount Andover's The Sphinx, 12st (Owner) 2
Betting-6 to 4on The Sphinx, who took a clear lead at
starting, and came over the first three fences some half-a-
dozen lengths in advance, but as they approached the large
piece of ploughed land by the bend in the Burton road, on
reaching the fence, The Sphinx ran into it, and on being
put at it a second time she fell and unhorsed his lordship,
who was soon remounted; the mistake gave his adversary a
long lead, which he retained to the brook, into which he
jumped, but the bottom being sound it enabled Captain
Smith to clear the fence beyond, with the loss of his stirrup,
without loss of his seat, and he cantered in alone. The
Sphinx, who came on a long way in the rear, cleared the
water in brilliant style.
The Farmers' Stakes, a sweepstakes of 3 soya each, with
50 soya added for the first, 15 soya for the second, and
5 soya for the third horse, for regular horses that have
been regularly hunted with the Belvoir, Quorndon,
Cottesmore, or Mr Tailby's hounds. Weight for age.
The winner of the Farmers' Plate at Crsxton-park 51b
extra. To be ridden by farraers. About three miles,
14 subs.
Mr G. March's, jun., Fred, aged, 12st 71b (Mr Coleman) 1
Mr It. H. Griffin's Myrrhina, 5 yrs, list 71b.. (Owner) 2
Mr J. Perkins, jun., Volunteer, aged, 12st 71b
(Mr Ward) 3
Mr John B. Leadbetter's Deception, aged, 1281 71b
(Mr Fisher) 4
The following also ran :—Bandoline, Edwin, Forester,
Give him a Name, Lottery, and Meteor.
Betting-4 to 1 agst Edwin, sto I agst Give-him-a-
Name, 100 to 15 each agst Myrrhina and Volunteer, and
to 2 aget Deception and Bandoline coupled.
The lot got away at the first attempt upon equal terms,
but widely spread, Forester on the extreme left, in company
with Give-him-a-Name, Huntsman, Edwin, and others in
close pursuit, all getting safely over; and immediately after
each selected his place as they raced down to take the water
jump, which was reached first by Forester and Give-him- a-
Name, who jumped short. Volunteer followed close in
track, but striking the post and rails on the taking off-side
heavily ho sent his rider into the air like a cricket ball, but
who was soon remounted. These mistakes created great
confusion, which became worse confounded as each failed
in succession to clear the water, each successive immersion
being received with deafening cheers by the thousand look-
ing on. During the confusion Forester, close up with whom
was Fred, being the first out, was seen a long way in ad-
vance of Edwin, Lady Florence, Deception, and Bandoline
as they crossed the road for the hill, in the 'rear of whom
came Volunteer and Myrrhina. In these positions they
rounded the flag for home, but as they descended the mea-
dows Fred headed Forester, who as they entered the bottom
gave way, and the leader was joined by Deception, Volun-
teer, Myrrhina, and Bandoline, who crossed the road in close
order, and came over the` succeeding fences without a mis-
take. On approaching the water they spread, Fred taking it
on the right, and getting safely over, Myrrhina being
second, Deception third, Volunteer fourth, and Bandoline
next, some distance in the rear. The two leaders came on
together to the last fence, which they cleared abreast and
raced home together, Fred running the longer, and winning
very cleverly at last by a head. Volunteer, who broke a
blood vessel, finished a bad third, Deception fourth, a long
way in the rear of whom came Bandoline.
Free Handicap Steeplechase of 20 soya each, 5 ft.
Winners extra, Aboat four miles. 18 subs, 14 of whom
paid.
Captain Maehell's Leonidas, list 91b (C. Boyce) 1
Mr C. H. Tempest's Merrimac, llst 31b ... (Knott) 2
Leading Article and Creole also ran.
Betting-7 to 4 agst Creole, 2to 1 agst Merrimac, 3to 1
agst Leonidas, and 5 to 1 agst Leading Article,
Leading Article, in company with Merrimac, got away
in advance, and made the running to the first fence, at
which the former fell, leaving Merrimac in possession of
the lead, which he held over the water jump, followed by
Creole and Leonidas, who got safely over, but Colonel
Forester's horse, less fortunate, striking the timber fell into
its centre, but who was again remounted, and followed on
two fields in the rear. Proceeding up the hill Creole headed
Merrimac, and somewhat mended the pace, but as they
neared the flags on the hiil he made a mistake, which was
immediately rectified, and he rounded them some lengths
in advance of Merrimac and Leonidas, but on taking the
fence before the road in the bottom he fell, and was at once
out of the race, leaving Merrimac in possession of the lead,
closely followed by Leonidas, the pair taking the fence in
clever style, and as they crossed the plough to the brook
they were head and head, in which position they charged
thewater-jump, Leonidas landing slightly in advance, but
fell,_ ,Merrimac imitating his example. Both were imme-
diately up, and, having been quickly mounted, recommenced
the race home in earnest, Leonidas, leading over the last
fence a shade in advance, held his own to the end, and won
in a canter at last by half a dozen lengths.
The Grand National Hunt Steeplechase, a sweepstakes of
10 soya each, 5 ft, with 250 soya added, for hunters that
have never won any steeplechase, hurdle race, or flat race
value 20 sous. 5-yr-olds, Ilst 71b ; 6-yr-olds, 12st 121 b ;
aged, 12st 71b. To be ridden by gentlemen or farmers.
The second horse to receive 50 soya, and the third 20 soya.
About four miles. 64 albs.
Mr E. Studd's Cookabore't
yrs, 12st 71b (Mr F. Loton) 1
Mr 'l' Behren's Game Chicken, aged, 12st 71b (Captain
Smith) ............ . ..................... ...... 2
_124 71b..(Mr,G. ....... 3
Mr Sheward's Sir Ste hen
yrs, Ilst 21b 51b
12at 21b
Captain Williams ns reulisa'eldeY,ll'
(Captain Tempest) 4
Mr W. Daniel's Lon; Enfield, aged,
(M Hipll
Marquis of Hastings's Mr Sheward's Triangle. r 12 a stwe 71b 5
(Mr Johnstone) 6
Captain Coventry's The Miller, aged, 12st ete
(Mr Coventry) 7
The following also ran : Oscar, Marinen, Maria Day,
Jack, Gone-away, Princess Royal, Mrs Furey, Volunteer,
Itusticus, The Feather, Electra, Sultan, White-faced Jack,
Wrangler, Gaylad, Lord George, Scarborough, Kathleen,
Magic, and Discount.
Betting-5 to 1 agat Sir Robert, 6to 1 agst Sir Stephen,
10 to 1 agat Triangle, 100 to 8 agst Lord George, 100 to 6
each agat Electra, Miller, and Princess Royal, 20 to 1 each
aget Kathleen and Game Chicken, 25 to 1 each agst

count, Oscar, and Volunteer, and 100 to 3 each agst Cooks-
boro', and Scarborough,
Mr Sheward declared to win with Sir Stephen. On
settling into their places Lord George in the centre went to
the front, closely attended by Scarborough, his stable com-
panion, Cooksboro', Crusade, White-faced Jack, Game
Chicken, Long Enfield, Triangle, and Gone-away, who
formed the advanced division, and cleared the first fence in
excellent order, with the exception of the latter, who
blundered at it and fell, giving Mr Pears an
ugly fall, the others, who were close in their
make, being brought up by the favourite Sir Stephen,
Miller, Electra, and Volunteer, whipped in by Magic,
Discount, Wrangler, and Gaylad, the lot getting safely
over, as also the succeeding obstacle, with one exception,
Mr. T. Pears following the example set him by his brother,
by coming to grief, and declining any' further interference
with the contest. As the leading horses approached the
brook the greatest interest was exhibited by the spectators,
who crowded the spot in thousands, Scarborough being the
first over, closely followed by Lord George, Sir Stephen, Sir
Robert, Princess Royal, Crusade, and Miller, each doing in
first-rate style ; then followed Triangle, Game Chicken, and
Cooksboro', who were equally fortunate ; but Electra, who
came next, blundered at the post and rails, fell, and was
followed in succession by Kathleen, Whitefaced Jack, Rue-
ticus, and Magic, the rearmost horses, in consequence of the
confusion and excitement that prevailed, sharing the same
fate, many of the horses getting loose, and scampering over
the inclosures. The leading horses headed by Lord George
proceeded over the succeeding inclosures, with little or no
variations in their positions, Sir Robert going on second,
Scarborough third, with Sir Stephen, Princess Royal, and
Miller in close attendance, their followers, who came on at
wide intervals, being headed by Triangle, Long Enfield and
Crusade. On rounding the extreme flag on the hill Lord
George bolted to the right, and ran some distance before he
could be stopped, and at the fence beyond Millet fell, but
was remounted so quickly as to retain his place, the lead
being left with Scarborough, who tiring shortly after was
pulled up and returned home. Sir Robert, in company with
Sir Stephen, Princess Royal, Game Chicken, and Crusade
coming on in advance, with Triangle, Cooksboro', and Vo-
lunteer as their only followers to the road a second time,
which the leaders cleared cleverly, but Princess Royal,
on landing, came in collision with a loose horse, which
brought her and Mr- Beville to the ground, and entirely
destroyed whatever chance she might have possessed.
This mishap was followed at the following fence by the
favourite coming to grief, evidently through distress,
thereby leaving Sir Stephen in command, who was closely
attended by Long Enfield, Game Chicken, Crusade, and
Cooksboro', the latter running into the third place as they
crossed the plough for the water jump, which they cleared
without a mistake. Half-way across the inclosure Loton
brought his horse to the fore, and in a few strides of ter Sir
Stephen was in difficulties and gave way to Cookeboro' and
Game Chicken, who came on together to the last fence,
which the former cleared in advance, and won very easily
by five lengths, a length between the second and third, four
lengths separating the third and fourth, the others as placed
by the judge cantered home some time after.
The Melton Mowbray Stakes, a sweepstakes of 15 soya each
for gentlemen and 5 soya each for tenant farmers ; for
horses that have never started in any handicap. 12st 71b.
Gentlemen riders. 4 miles.
Major Paynter's Tuscarora, 12st 71b (Capt. Smith) 1
Lord Andover nas Roscrea, aged, 12st 71b (Lord Andover) 2
Greek Fire and Nubian also ran.
Betting-5 to 2 each agat Roscrea and Nubian, and sto
1 agst Tuscarora,
Nubian, with Greek Fire in company, made play, fol-
lowed by Roscrea and Tuscarora, over the first fences, but
on taking the water he jumped short and broke his back,
falling upon Mr. Gordon, and for a period creating feare for
his life, as, upon his being rescued from his perilous posi-
tion he was insensible from the concussion. Greek Fire,
who got safely over, then went on with a clear lead, which
he held round the turning flag, when he was headed by
Tuscarora and Roscrea, who came on in company to the
brook a second time, which the latter cleared first, but was
caught at the last fence, and defeated, after a fine race, by
a head.

The Dealers' Stakes, a sweepstakes of 5 sovs each, with 25
sovs added, with selling allowances ; winners extra; half-
breds,all owed 71b. Three miles. 10 subs.
Mr Vyner's Mountain Fox, h b, aged (£100), 12st 31b
(Mr Coventry) 1
Mr F. Gordon's Red Eigle, aged, list 121 b
(Mr T. Percival) 2
Mr Loton na. Brown Brandy, h b, aged (£100), list 121 b
(Mr F. Loton) 3
Mr Vivian's The Rejected h b, 6 yrs (£100), lOst 91b
(Captain Vivian) 4
The following also ran :—Red Hawthorn, Black Night,
Forester, and Primrose.
Bbtt ng-2 to 1 agst Mountain Fox, and 6 to 1 each agst
Red Eagle and Brown Brandy.
Won after a good race by three lengths; a length be-
tween the second and third. The Rejected trotted past the
post a bad fourth.