The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-27 00:00:00

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

THE MARKET-HARBOROUGH GRAND NA-
TIONAL STEEPLECHA SES -THURSDAY.

From the attendance at this meeting, as well as at the
military steeplechases lately held at Rugby, it is quite
apparent that the taste for this kind of sport, when it is
carried out in a legitimate manner, is by no means on the
decline. From all parts the trains came into the station
heavily laden with carriages and horse•box_es, which latter
were in great demand to accommoiate the hacks for the
spectators. The carriages of the neighbouring gentry also
mustered strongly on the ground, and there must have
been at least 20,000 people gathered together, including
those scattered over the adjacent hills. The line run over
was nearly the same as that of last 'ear, but by a slight
change some of the worst parts of the ridge and furrow
were avoided, though still leaving to jeopardise the chance
of any horse unaccustomed to that kind of ground. As now
arranged it formed a figure of 8, with the ma e water-
jump,(l.6 feet clear) in the middle. The Stand, also, in-
stead of,being on the 'Windmill-hill, as last year, was placed
in front of this formidable jump, which was made worse by
the hardness of the bare clay thrown out upon the landing
side. As a consequence, a large part of the line beyond the
hill was concealed from the view of the spectators, but to
make up fur this defect a ring we,- fenced off of ample
dimensions, and a we'ghing•room had been erected quite
roomy enough for the accommodation of the riders. Last
year the fences were sufficiently formidable, but they have
grown considerably in the interval, and are now very
strong, several ox• fences being included, and all quite up
to the average of a" fair, hunting country," Unfortu-
nately, the fields for the two principal events were reduced
to five each, and neither race was well contested—but the
Farmers' and Dealers' Steeplechases resulted in two most
spirited contests. The winner of the Great Corinthian
Cup is by no means a first .class horse in appearance, but
gallops over his fences in brilliant style, and does the
ridge and furrow like level ground. He was admirably
ridden by Mr. Goodman, and never gave either of
his opponents a chance. Piff Paff was in the town, but
lamed himself at exercise in the morning.
T,

'he Great National Steeplechase, of 25 soya each, 10 ft, for
maiden horses, to be ridden by gentlemen or farmers.
About four miles. 23 subs, five of whom pay 3 soya ft.
Mr. F. H. W. G. Calthorpe's Socks, aged, 12st 101 b
(Mr. Goodman) 1
Mr. B. J. Angell na Cheviot, 6 yrs, 12st 101 b
(Mr. Bevill) 2
The following also ran :—Measham, Lsdy Florence, and
Jumpaway.
Betting-2 to 1 agst Cheviot, sto 2 agst Measham, 4to

1 each agst Socks and Lady Florence.
The lead was taken by Socks, followed by Cheviot, the
others lying close up, After jumping the fence beyond the '
hurdles Lady Florence took second place, Measham being
last, and as they rounded the hill, going out of sight, Socks
neld a commanding lead. On the other side of the hill
Measham drew forward, and passed all his horses on the
rising ground, Socks taking a line to the right up a path-
w.y, In the dilt, just before reaching the red flags, Socks
again went in front, Measham lying second, and Cheviot
third. On again coming in sight of the stand Socks was
three or four lengths in front of Cheviot, who was closely
followed by Lady Florence and Measham, Jumpaway being
several lengths in the rear. The succeeding fences, includ-
ing those in and out of the road, were crossed in the same
order, Jumpaway taking a tine to himself on the right. At
the brook Socks was first over, followed by Cheviot,
Measham, and Lady Florence, Jumpaway here pulling up.
After the next fence beyond the stand Cheviot took up the
running, bat Socks soon went to his head, and up the hill
each alternately led. At the foot of the hill Lady Florence
fell, and Measham meeting with a similar misfortune at
the top, the race was left to Socks and Cheviot, the latter
taking the lead down the hill, but at the hurdles they
closed, and Socks came away, winning cleverly by four
lengths.
The Great Corinthian Cup, of 200 soya, added to a Sweep •
stakes of 30 says each, h ft. Winners extra. About four
miles. 43 subs, nine of whom pay 8 soya ft each.
ilr. Goodliffe's The Czar, aged, 105 t.... (tidr. Goodman) 1
Lord Tredegar na Penarth, aged, 135 t.... (G. Holtman) 2
Capt, Machell's Molly Asthore, 6 yrs, lOst I Ilb (in 71b ex)
(Palmer) 3

Bridegroom and Frank also ran.
Betting-5 to 4 agst Penarth, 2to 1 agst Bridegroom,
3 to 1 agst Molly Asthore, 10 to 1 each agst The Czar and
Frank.
The Czar jumped off with the lead, followed by Penarth,
Bridegroom, and Molly Asthore. In this order the lot
jumped the succeeding fences till they came to the last,
which Penarth refused, losing a considerable deal of
.round. This gave Frank the second place, Penarth, who
took the fence after being pulled round, being last. In
the large field beyond the hill The Czar had a good lead,
Molly Asthore passing Frank,lwith Bridegroom close up,
and Penarth some lengths in the rear. In rising the hill
the winner, following the example of Socks in the previous
race, took the footpath, thereby permitting Bridegroom,
who kept the straight line, to assume the lead, but he also
being deprived of it as they neared the next fence. On re-
appearing The Czar led, Molly being second, Bridegroom
third, and Frank fourth, Penarth, who had nearly made
up his lost ground, being very handy. Just before reaching
the brook Bridegroom closed up and jumped it next to The
Czar, who still held his lead, Molly being third, and Pen.
arth fourth. In the flat beyond the stand the same order
was maintained ; but the Irish mare blundering at her fences,
and doing the "ridge and furrow" very badly, and Frank
losing ground at every stride. On the side of the hill
Bridegroom was evidently beaten, and at the turning flag
for home he was passed by Molly Asthore, and Penarth,
being out of the race from this point. Along the flog Molly
Sethore died away, and The Czar cantered in at least 20
Lengths in front of Penarth, nothing else being near. The
race was run at a slow pace.
The Farmers' Grand Annual Steeplechase, open to all far•
mere occupying 100 acres of land in the United Kingdom,
a sweepstakes of 3 soya ea'h. 18 subs.
fir. J. E. Bennett's Lady Florence, 5 yrs, 12st 21b
(Mr. Goodman) 1
Mr. W. Cowper's b m Princess Royal, aged, 12st 101 b
(Mr. Dickens) 2
Mr. Perkin's gr g Volunteer, aged, 12st 10et .. (Owner) 3
The following also ran—Malta, Beckford Lass, Gone
Away, Volunteer, Blondin, Precentor, and Capsicum.
Betting-2 to 1 agst Lady Florence, 3to 1 agst Princess
Royal, 6 to 1 each agst the two Volunteers.
The lead was taken by Lady Florence, followed by Gray
Volunteer, who lost ground soon afterwards by running out
at the turn of the hurdles, which Blondin refused. The
chapter of accidents was also increased by Gone Away over-
powering her rider and knocking over a woman close to the
course. With these exceptions the whole lot went over the
bill out of sight in a compact body, and on reappearieg
Beckford Lass was first, Blondin seconJ, Malta third, Lady
Florence, Precentor, Princess Royal, and the Gray Volun-
teer following cl se together. At the brook Princess Royal
was still first, but did not clearit, and fell back on her shoul-
eer, throwing her rider on to her neck; Air. Dickens, how-
ever, cleverly recovered himself, but lost some ground,
Blondin, Malta, and Lady Florence being next over, and.
going on nearly ab east. At the turn beyond the Stand Beck-
ford Lass went in front and took a strong lead, closely waited
on by Lady Florence and Malta, the rest straggling on, and
Capsicum having fallen on Mr. Everett and broken his arm.
As they rose the hill Malta took second place, and Beckford
Lass refusing at the top, he was left with the lead, but was
soon deprived of it by Lady Florence. As they came down
the hill for home Princess Royal was third, and the two
Volunteers fourth and fifth ; but after crossing the road
Malta was beaten, and a fine race home ensued between
Lady Florence and Princess Royal, the former winning by
five lengths, and Princess Royal beating Volunteer by two
lengths; Malta was fourth. Bay Volunteer fell at the brook
and went an without her rider.
The Dealers' Stakes, a Sweepstakes of 5 soya each, with 50
soya added by Mr. W. G. Craven, and Mr. B. J. Angell,
Esq., for maiden horses; 12st 71b each; the winner to be
sold for 150 soya if demanded. About 3 miles, over the
steeplechase course.
Mr. Sankey's Rufus (Mr. Calder) 1
Mr. H. Lington'e Leicester (Owner) 2
Mr. c. Arden's Cheshire Boy, 6 yrs ... (Capt. 'tempest) 3
The following also ran :—Lady of La Garaye, Square-
toes, Forlorn Hope, Cantab, and Worcester.
Betting. —6 to 4 agst Leicester, 5 to 1 each agst Cheshire
and Rufus, 8 to 1 agst any other.
The start took place out of sight of the Stand, but on mak-
ing their appearance coming down the hill Rufus had the
lead, followed by Forlorn Hope, who passed him just after
crossing the road, and was first over the brook, followed by
Cheshire Boy, Rufus, Lady of La Garaye, and Squaretoes,
Leicester falling, and his rider not persevering At the
next fence Mr. Park broke a stirrup leather, and did not go
any further with his mare. As they came down the hill for
home Forlorn Hope had the lead, but Hiatus collared him
in crossing the road, and, after a fine race defeated him by
three lengths between the second and third. Squaretoes
was fourth. The winner was claimed for Mr. Mason.