The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-29 00:00:00

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

CROYDON AUTUMN STEEPLECHASES.—TUESDAY.
Although not favoured with fine weather, the attendance
on the opening day of this meeting was very large. The
stand and enclosure were crowded, speculation being carried
on with great spirit. The meeting was honoured with the
presence of Lord Coventry, who has not been to Croydon
races for some years, and his lordship expressed himself
highly gratified at the business-like manner in which every-
thing was conducted, and the excellent arrangements for
the convenience and comfort of owners and trainers, and
the public generally. Unfortunately one race, the
Selling Steeplechase, fell through, but although the pro-
gramme consisted of three events only, the sport was of the
most interesting kind. It is unnecessary to refer to the
races, every detail of which is appended, more than to say
that Mr. Powell followed up his good fortune at Warwick
by winning the two principal races with Flyfisher and
L'Africain, the victory of the last-mentioned being received
with loud cheers. Rain, which had fallen moderately during
the first part of the afternoon, descended heavily when the
sport concluded, but notwithstanding this disadvantage a
ring was formed, and some lively speculation took place on
the Grand Metropolitan Steeplechase, the chief support
being awarded to L'Africain, who was freely backed at 6
to 4, and eventually 5 to 4 was the highest offer. Laura at
5 to 1 was the only other animal backed for any amount.
The following is a full return of the running :
The Stewards' Plate (Handicap) of 100 sovs. Any winner
after the publication of the weights to carry 71b extra.
About three miles.
Mr. Powell's Flyfisher, aged, 12st (G. Holman 1
Count de la Bigne's R.M.D., 6 yrs, list 21b G. Quinton 2
Mr. Rose Price's Simpleton, aged, lOst 71b ...Horrigan 3
The following also ran :—Patience, Marmadake, Santhal,
Tulipe Orageuse, The Objected, Diana, Sir Robert Tam-
bour Major, and Lisette.
Betting-2 to 1 agst Flyfisher, sto 1 each agst Patience
and R.M.D., and 10 to 1 agst Tambour Major. Lisette was
the first to show in front, next to whom came Flyfisher,
Sir Robert, and Simpleton, but Sir Robert fell after going
half a mile. On the far side Lisette came to grief, and
Simpleton, who had passed the favourite, took up the run-
ning with a clear lead of R.M.D., The Objected going on
third, and Flyfisher next; the others widely scattered; the
three last being Diana, Santhal, and Marmaduke. This order
was maintained past the stand the second time, when The
Objected took second place, but only on sufferance, for
R.M.D. passed him on crossing the plough, and improving
the pace, which had been wretched, the French horse over-
hauled Simpleton, and took a strong lead. After going two
miles and a half Flyfisher began to close on R.M.D., and
catching him when called on, came over the last fence a
length in front, and increasing his lead on rising the hill to
the finish won with the greatest ease by six lengths. The
Objected falling at the last fence enabled Simpleton to
finish third, the same distance in the rear of R.M.D. None
of the others passed the post.
A Hunters' Stake of 5 sovs each, with 25 added; 12st 71b
each ; selling allowances.
Mr. J. Mason's Tip Top, aged (X 100) 12st 71b
(Mr. A. Goodman) 1
Mr. P. R.Tattersall's Meerschaum, aged (£100), 13st (in.
71b extra)
(Pickett) 2
The following also ran :—Express, Saucebox, and Hot-
spur.
Betting —Even on Express, 5 to 2 agst Tip Top, and 7
tot agst Saucebox. The favourite took a strong lead for a
mile, when he fell, and took no further part in the contest.
Tip Top then made play, followed by Meerschaum, the
other two being out of the race, after going a mile and a
half. Tip Top, after taking the command, was never
headed,
and increasing his lead in the last half mile, can-
tered in a winner by twenty lengths. Meerschaum, who
fell on his head in the middle of the field and smothered
Pickett with mud, struggling gamely, but hopelessly, was
second. The winner was bought by Mr. Ellison for 100
guineas.
The Croydon Steeplechase Cup of 100 sovs, added to a
sweepstakes of 10 soya each, 5 forfeit, for 4-yr-olds and
upwards ; certain penalties and allowances. About 3
miles and a half.
Mr. Powell's L'Africain (late Falendre), 6 yrs, 12st 71b
(G. Holman) 1
Mr. E. Lavigne's Magenta, 6 yrs, 12st 7113.„(Larnplugh) 2
Mr. R. Walker's Cortolvin, 6 yrs, 12st 101 b (Mr. Edwards) 3
The following also ran : Valentino, Old Oswestry, and
Brown Windsor.
Betting-5 to 2on L'Africain, 6to 1 agst Magenta. The
latter and Valentino were the first to show in advance,
the pair holding a slight lead of Old Oswestry, following 1
whom was the favourite, Cortolvin bringing up the rear
After passing the Stand, Valentino rushed to the front
attended by Old Oswestry, L'Africain going on third ; but
on the far side of the course the latter was allowed to get
to the leaders, whom he headed in an instant, but being
eased before reaching the stand the second time, Old Os-
westry and Magenta passed him, but always having the
race in hand, and occasionally taking a slight lead, L'Afri-
cain quitted his opponents a quarter of a mile from the
winning post, and cantered in ten lengths in front of Ma-
genta. Cortolvin, who went remarkably well at the latter
part of the race, and fenced superbly throughout, finished
three lengths behind the second. The others walked in at
wide intervals.