The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-14 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

THE DONCASTER MEETING.
The weights for the Autumn handicaps being now pub-
lished, the events to be decided this week will be looked
forward to with more than ordinary interest, as the equi-
vocal performers this year have now nothing to fear.
The Champagne Stakes generally produces a favourite
for the Derby, but I think it will result in a match between
Linda and Fille de l'Air, giving the preference to the
formeer.

The Great Yorkshire Handicap has a very poor accept-
ance. Still enough remain to make a good race, and as the
distance is within the scope of all of them, a fair field may
be expected. Tho field will include Harlington, Lady
Ripon, Welcome, Chanz,e, Blithfield, Jack of Hearts, Silk-
stone, Earl of Surrey, Hubert, Doctor Syntax, Blondin,
Cachuca, Schoolmistress, Kangaroo, Barter, and The Serf.
The three most favourably weighted are Schoolmistress,
Doctor Syntax, and Barter; giving the preference to them
in the order named.
The Filly Stakes should be won by Syron, and the Glas.
gow Stakes by Midnight Mass.
Wednesday is tho St. Leger day. The field for the great
event will likely compose most of the following
Horses.
Riders.
Avenger ........ A. Edwards.
Blondin
Blue Mantle .. Lynch.
Borealis
Bright Cloud or Cheerful
Clatior
Curio
Dr. Syntax
Donnybrook
Erin go Bragh
Gladstone
Golden Pledge Fordhata.
Light Bob
Lord Clifden Osborne.
National Guard
Prince Lee 800

Ovesauder
Queen Bertha .
Banger
Scamander Custrmee.
Tadeums

Avenger and Onesander will represent Lord Stantford's
interest, but from the amount of money invested in the
former, it would seem that the latter will run to serve his
stable companion, but it would not surprise me to see
" Noseander," as he is generally termed, turn out the best
of his lordship's pair, as was the case with Diophantus two
years ago in the Two Thousand Guineas, when Imaus was
defeated by his stable companion in a common canter.
Avenger won the Prince of Wales's Stakes easily, but there
was nothing great behind him, as Blue Mantle was out of
all form. He will carry as much money as any other horse
in the race, and no liberties ought to be taken with him.
The Ranger is gradually retiring to tha outside division,
and I think that is just the place he will obtain in the race,
though I believe he will try and get a "situation"
amongst the first three. Queen Bertha (whom I
selected to win the Oaks when at 50 to 1) has
been the most steady horse in the betting ; but, no
doubt this arises from her being in John Scott's stable,
who has won more Legers than any other trainer. How-
ever, her ladyship is entitled rto the greatest respect on her
own merits; but, as mares are very uncertain at this season
of the year, I do not think she will carry h%r colotirs suc-
cessfully past the post in the great tussle. Lord Clifden
has been knocked about more than any other horse in the
race--one day being at 20's, the next at 10's, then at 6's,
back again to 20's and 30's, down again to 6's, where he
now remains, with a still further downward tendency. That
his performances warrants such knocking about is a thing,
as Lord Dundreary would say, " Tha-tha-that no fellah
can understand." He was by far the best two-year-old of
his year, and only lost the Derby by a very short head.
His running in France I entirely throw aside, as
he was suffering severely from the roughness of the passage
across the channel. No horse could be in finer condition
at present, and those who have been taking liberties with
him will perhaps get as great a b!ow as they did in 1860
with St. Albans. Golden Pledge, since his success in the
Ebor Handicap, has been entrusted with heaps of money,
and ought to run respectably. Donnybrook I have no
fancy for, but National Guard, who won his Stockton en-
gagements, ought to run well, and may prove an awkward
customer to the favourites. Blue Mantle is doing excellent
work at present, and from the forward position he obtained
in the Derby, my
only doubt is whether to give the prefer-
ence to him or Lord Clifden. Borealis is a beautiful little
mare, and her owner has backed her for a situation. Light
Bob and Clarior will represent Lord Glasgow, but with no
chance of success. Serf will run for Mr. Jackson's book,
and Blondin for Mr. Parr, but I am afraid he will not meet
with the good fortune he had when he carried off this
race in 1855 with Saucebox, who was at 50 to 1 at starting.
Tambour Major, it is reported, will be amongst the starters;
and if he runs as well as he did in the Derby, when he had
such an artistic jockey as Wells on his back, there will not
be much danger to be feared from him. It will be seen,
from the above, that I expect the judge will place
LORD CLIFDEN (with his head loose) 1
BLUE MANTLE 2
AVENGER ...... 3
The Doncaster Cup will be won by MACCARONI.
A FRESH MAN.