The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-27 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

ANTICIPATIONS ANENT AINTREE.
The annual spring gathering at Aintree moults no
feather of its popularity. It still maintains intact those
,powerful and varied attractions which have constituted
it the most interesting and important of all early "fix-
tures." The Grand National Steeplechase alone is a
tower of strength to the meeting, as, indeed, it is the
principal and only engrossing "cross country" event of
the season. Judging from the increased activity; which
has within the last week been imparted to the- betting
and the still widening range of speculation, its celebra-
tion 'on the present occasion is likely to be marked by
incidents- of an unusually exciting description. The
most important movements in the turf market relative
to it I have already endeavoured to indicate and explain,
and the opinions which I have expressed respecting them
have 'been strengthened by the latest "operations."
Notwithstanding the growing favour manifested for
Oscar And the hardened confidence of Bourton's sup-
porters, inyhigh estimate of Miss Mowbray's pretensions
is not lessened. Still, in calculating her chance I am
not unmindful of the many contingencies which, in a
large field of horses, may, in any part of the encounter,
effectually destroy the possibility of her success. Still,
Miss Mowbray will not be more liable to accidents than
her most formidable, opponents, and with the assistance
of her cool-headed, experienced jockey, the odds are cer-
tainly in favour of her clearing without 'mishap the most
dangerous " obstacles " in the course.
Some uncertainty exists as to the ultimate "intentions"
relative to Miss Mowbray's stable companion Oscar,
and, indeed, _many persons affect to believe that his
party build large expectations on the probability of his
success. Although this opinion is not opposed to all
" turf tactics," yet it certainly appears to be at total
variance with the evidence supplied by the betting.
Indeed, fir months the entire tendency of speculation
has been to try and prove, and, I think, successfully the
earnestness and good faith of Miss Mowbray's supporters.
Should, however, any accident happen to the mare,. I
shall not be surprised were Oscar to achieve the victory;
but I believe that he will only be started to make the
running and ,clear the way for Miss Mowbray, and to
take care of Bourton, whom, be it remembered, he has
once, and at a heavier weight, easily defeated. .
Bourton, possesses pretensions certainly less -sound
than those of Miss Mowbray ; still I do not wish to
deny or disparage his proved racing merit. Still, through
Oscar, Miss Mowbray's party are enabled to form a
pretty accurate estimate of his capabilities, and that
estimate has doubtless been made, and the betting shows
that they are not discouraged by it.
The recent successful ruaning of Trout has doubtless
materially contributed to extend the popularity of Bour-
ton, and to fill his partisans with confidence and boast-
ing. That I mistrust Bourton lam compelled-to ad-
mit, his temper is uncertain, and if not th vein, lie may
destroy the hopes of his backers at the first formidable
fence.

Peter Simple and Half-and-Half will unquestionably
be dangerous antagonists ; for the old 'un, however,
notwithstanding his crushing weight, I entertain the
strongest partiality. Relative to Half and Half, the
betting has recently fluctuated in so perplexing and
unaccountable a manner, that I am unable to determine
whether it will be a winning or a losing game that will
be played with him. Will a big knell be sounded for
his defeat, or will his victory be celebrated by a little
peal ?

Maurice Daley is warmly fancied in certain well-
informed quarters, but I entertain no sanguine expecta-
tions of his chance ; notwithstanding, too, the increasing
support received by La Gazza Ladra, I am inclined to
believe that the confidence of her backers also may be
misplaced. These remarks also apply in a wider or less
significance to Lady Arthur, and certain other probable
starters. Of the outside division, Abd-el-Kader,
Spring, and. Bedford may figure most prominently in the
encounter, and were an unthought-of animal to achieve
the victory,- one of the three mentioned may pull
through to the joy of the "fielders."
Having carefully compared the relative merit of the
intended competitors, and having duly considered every
movement in the turf market, it would be contrary to
common sense to select any other than Miss Mowbray
as the Probable winner of the Grand National Steeple-
qhase.

I shall not extend my comments to the legitimate
events ; should I, however, gather any information
worth—conumunicating respecting them, it shall be laid
before the readers of Me Sun on Tuesday. Before these
hastily penned observations appear in type, I shall be
located t:Manchester en route to Liverpool determined
to attenpl Stretford steeplechases, in order to hear the
sayingratid observe the doings of the Manchester men.
Feb. A FRESH MAN.

LIVERPOOL SPRING MEETING.
WAIDNESDAT:

Subj'oined is a programme of the sport :
The TRIAL STAKES of 5 SWIM each; with 30 sees. added

three-yr-olds, 6st 41b ; four, Bst 41b ; five, 9st ; six
and aged, 9st 31b ; mares and geldings allowed 41b.
Mile and a quarter. 5 subs. To name the night pre-
ceding, at' seven o'clock. Mr. Moseley, Mr. Saxon,
Mr. Worthington, Mr. W. Palmer, and Mr. T. Bell.
The LIVERPOOL SPRING CUP (Handicap) of 100 SM. in
specie, by subscription of 10 says, each, h ft, with 60
added ; one mile and three-quarters. 24 subs.
Age st lb Age st lb
Colsterdale .6 8 7 Charity
Cariboo
Lancashire Lass 4 8 2 Lurley
Ulster 4 7 10 The Speaker, by
Dove
Kilquade
Missive
Cleveland
Cabin Boy 4 7 6 Pantaloon
Angelo . 4 7 3 Mrs. Humby...—. 3 5 7
The Event 5 7 2 Antonia 3 5 6
Lightof the Harem 4 7 2 The Cripple
Escape
The GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE of 20 sovs, each,
h ft, with 100 so's. added ; the second to save hie
stake. Winners of any steeplechase from the time/of
declaring the weights, once, 61b ; and twice or More,
101 b extra. About four miles. (62 subs., 17 of whom
declared and pay 5 soya. each.)
Age st lb
Peter dimple
Bo urton
Oscar
Miss Mewbray
The Colonel . .
Peter
Half-and-Half
Abd-el-Kader alo 6
Bedford (h b) a 10 4
Simple Peter a 10 2
Victress a 10 0
La Gazza Ladra... a 10 0
Tom of Tuani ... 6 10 0
Daphne..,..,,
.. 6 10 0
Lady Arthur a 9 10
Maurice-Daley
Maley a 9 10
Star of England a 9 10
Spring 6 9 10
Napoleon 11. 5 9 1%
Maria Day a 9 10,
Geraldus
Mountain Maid.., a 9, 8
Thetvno STAKES of 5 sovs. each, with 30 added, for
two-yr-olds ; colts Bst 71b, fillies and geldings Bet 31b.
T. Y. C.
Mr. Barber's Chaon
Mr. T. Bell's Exmouth
Mr. Croft's Yewtick
Mr. Fletcher's Proserpine

Age st lb
Pride of the North a 9 8
Cockcrow
Kilquade
Labyrinth
Forest La 4 a 9 6
Timothy - - a 9 6
The Dodger (h b) a 9 6
Calmar
Robin Hood--- a 9 4
The Prince a 9 4
Squire of Malton a 9 4
Comeaway 6 9 4
Royalty 5 9 4
Crabby
Little Charley
Old Rake
Trout a 9 0
Luck's All a 9 0
Chester
g by Faugh-a-
-Ballagh (h b)
Burnt Sienna a 8 12
Pony (pd)

Mr. Harrison's f by lago
Belle Dame
Mr. Morris's The Broom

The AINTREE PLATE of 70 Bove. One mile.

Age st lb Age st lb
Eulogist 4 8 7 Voucher 4 7 4
Lancashire Lass 4 8 2 Game Tommy
Sir Robert a 7 12 The Buck
Axwell 4 7 12 Lord Lieutenant 4 7 0
Warwick
Worcester
The Tempest 5 7 6 Antonia 3 5, 8
Songster 5 7 6 Andromache 8 5. 2
Escape
The SCRAMBLE HANDICAP of 5 sovs. each, with 30 acliied;
stakes ; il5, to receive 20 soVs.
if 10 subs., the second to receive 10 soya. out Of the
Half a mile. To
close and name the night preceding.
The OPTIONAL SELLING STAKES a 5 sovs. each, with 30
sovs. added. One mile. - To close and name at seven
'

o'clock the night preceding.
CONVEYANCES FROM EIISTON STATION.--The 9.15 a.m.
express train arrives at Liverpool at 3.40 p.m. ; 10.0
a.m. ditto, at 4.45 p.m. ; 12 at noon, Ist and 2d class,
at 9.0 p.m. ; 5.0 p.m., express, at 10.50 p.m. ; 8.45
p.m., mail train, at 4.0 a.m.

RgS FOR 1854.

,CH.

Warwick Spring 2l
Catterick 27
Northampton 29
Abergavenny 3O
IL.
Catterick Bridge .. .... .. 19
Abergavenny —. 20
York 5pring........;
Malton .............
'AY.

Lothians and EdintinrghlB
Lewes
Bath 23
Liverpool Hunt Spring 24
I Epsom 30
-

Bibury 2B
Stockbridge 29
Ludlow 30
Winchester , 30