The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-17 00:00:00

SPORTING -NOT.ES

RECENT DOINGS AND COMING EVENTS.
I never " assisted" at a duller or less interesting
meeting than that celebrated at Aintree last week. The
racing, in almost every instance, was devoid of im-
portance, and so limited was speculation, that the most
industrious book-maker, work how he would, was
unable to "get round." People, too, indulged their
fault-finding propensities on every occasion, the short-
comings in the supply of sport were undoubtedly suf-
ficient to justify their grumbling, but the management
also came in for its share of abuse. High dudgeon was
expressed at the manner in which Mr. Topham seemed
to " play into the hands of the innkeepers," whose
interest, it was alleged, he studied more than the
accommodation of the real supporters of the meeting.
The principal cause of complaint was the late hour at
which the proceedings commenced each day, and the
crowding of so many items into Friday's programme, as
to prevent persons who wished to " see the racing out"
from leaving Liverpool by the afternoon express train.
The sporting public have been so accustomed to receive
every attention from Mr. Topham, that the slightest
neglect, either real or imaginery, renders them impatient
and dissatisfied.

The unexpected result of the Cup race was the only
favourable " turn" which the fielders have had for
many weeks. Perhaps few people were more sur-
prised at the success of Ammonia than her owner,
who had not the slightest confidence in the mare, albeit
I heard him declare en route to Aintree that " she was
very well, and that in private she could run as fast as
anything ; but that in public she was a dreadful beast,
and would not try to run a yard." This reputation
Ammonia undoubtedly deserved, but her recent achieve-
ment is likely to destroy it. The supporters of Typee
were not far out in their calculations, and they were not
a little chagrined to see her defeated by what in turf
parlance is called a "regular duffer." Kingston's party
were in terrible earnest, and, having secured the services
of Alfred Day, they deemed success a certainty. Again,
however, were they disappointed. Dr. O'Toole figured
somewhat ingloriously, after the great fuss that had
been made about him. It is said that before the Chester
Meeting he was tried with The Hermit, and only beaten
a head. The Doctor's running, however, if correct, cer-
tainly gives the lie to this report. The " use," however,
that was made of him in the race at Liverpool was un-
questionably injudicious. Hungerford's performance
caused considerable surprise, and Talfourd did not even
show respectably in the encounter.
The "sensation" created by the success of Ammonia
was sustained by the defeat of Dirk Hatteraick on Fri-
day. Attempts are made to explain why this horse's
performance is so inconsistent with his boasted preten-
sions, and it is said that he will " see a better day." His
trainer's triumphs with the Flying Dutchman, Elthiron,
and other turf celebrities, are, however, not likely, in
my opinion, to be renewed with Dirk Hatteraick. Still,
a finer or better made horse, perhaps, was never saddled ;
his blood, too, is unexceptionable. Report, however,
was so busy with him that I am inclined to entertain a
prejudice against him. When trainers really have a
good horse They are seldom desirous that the public
should be acquainted with the fact too early. Every-
body, however, for months past has known what "a sur-
prising animal Dirk Hatteraick is." Everybody, too,
knew " what a surprising animal Lightfoot was." Dirk
Hatteraick may not, however, be another Lightfoot, or
even another Bribery.

The racing appointments this week are four—Newton,
Tuesday and Wednesday ; Stamford, Tuesday and
Wednesday ; Isle of Sheppy, Wednesday ; and Not-
tingham Thursday and Friday. I will briefly sum up
the probable results, confining my remarks to the prin-
cipal item on each list. The Newton programme con-
tains ten events. To the Newton Handicap there are
fourteen subscribers, Patience and Knight of St. George
figuring favourably among the animals weighted. Ex-
citement may follow up her recent success at Aintree by
winning the Golborne Stakes. Little information is to
be obtained respecting the intended competitors for the
Handicap Plate. lam therefore unable to express a de-
finite opinion as to the probable results of those races.
For the 70 Sovs. Plate, the " lot" which is likely to
comprise the winner consists of Snowden Dunhill, Eulo-
gist, Index, Battery, and Lady Bird. The Plate of 50
Sovs., Golborne Course, numbers upwards of thirty no-
minations, from which I select Leybourne, Nelly Hill,
Yewtik, and Donald, to furnish the winner. Lough
Bawn, Jacqueline, and Cleveland seem " well in" in the
Gold Cup. The running for these handicaps will, how-
ever, be regulated so materially by the result of the pre-
ceding races, that it will be hazardous to have any deal-
ings with them until the telegraph board indicate the
starters.

Burghley Stakes, Florist, for the
The sport at Stamford is likely to be somewhat scanty.
Rackapelt and Cock Pheasant are my " fancies" for the
Handicap Plate of 50
sovs., Cock Pheasant and Ilex for the Gold Cup, and
Pelham for the Ketton Stakes. By the way Strood, a
two-year•old, of whom report speaks favourably, is
among the nominations for a sweepstakes to be run for
to-morrow. Whether he will start, however, is at pre-
sent doubtful.

My " Notes on Nottingham" I shall reserve until
Wednesday.
July 17.

A FRESH MAN.

50
40
25
25

6
25
50
20

20
20
10
10

50
16
st.

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