The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-07 00:00:00

MANY MATTERS.

The programme of the meeting which is appointed to
take place at Derby to-morrow scarcely requires
discussion. It presents no attractive or important
" feature," although its fair promise of sport is likely to
be fulfilled. Of the six events appointed for decision,
the Midland Steeplechase only has occasioned specula-
tion. For that race Diana has been somewhat spiritedly
supported, but the betting has not been exclusively con-
fined to her, several investments having been also made
on Victress, Daphne, The Trout, Spring, and Needwood.
Whether the movements in the turf-market afford any
trustworthy criterion as to the comparative chances of
the above-mentioned animals, I will not undertake to
determine, for at present it is impossible to tell how far
speculation is, or may be, regulated by the " squaring
system." At Derby Ben Land will doubtless be "among
them." In addition to her engagement for the Midland
Steeplechase, Victress has two others, and it is therefore
uncertain for which race she will be intended. Metro-
politan turfites will, with few exceptions, leave London
by the quarter-past nine o'clock train on Wednesday
morning, and will arrive at Derby in ample time to
" assist' at the celebration of the meeting. To suit
their convenience in this respect, the committee will per-
haps delay the time of starting half-an-hour, but even
this arrangement may be deemed scarcely necessary, for
the first event will be an uninteresting match for 20 soya.
Attempts to take the " shine out" of the Star of Sur-
rey appear to be ineffectual. In the dim area of specula-
tion on the Chester Cup he still rises steadily and with
increased attraction. At Tattersall's to-day (Monday)
20 to 1 was freely booked about him. A reaction, too,
began in favour of Newminster ; the opinion, therefore,
which I stated on Friday, to the effect that he would
again occupy a prominent place in the list of quotations,
is likely to be borne out sooner, perhaps, than I expected.
If well and intended, Newminster will be a most formi-
dable competitor. At present lam inclined to believe
that he will be the sole and trusted representative of his
powerful " stable." Nabob, too, is advancing steadily
in popularity, and his running ast October renders his
title to support incontestible. Should my information
be correct, however, the outside division contains the
" coming" horse.
Royalist is still the leading favourite for the Metro-
politan Stakes, on which the betting is too limited in its
range to require more than a brief remark. Muscovite,
who has at times been in some demand for the Chester
Cup, is, it is hinted, now likely to make his grand and
long-expected coup in Surrey. He is handicapped for
the " Metrop " at 7st. 71b.—only 11b. lighter than for
the Chester Cup.
Miss Mowbray again figures with seeming steadiness
in the betting on the Liverpool Grand National Steeple.
chase. Still many persons display a lack of confidence
in the ultimate "intentions" of her party that is not a
little perplexing and discouraging. That the mare is in
sound health and good condition is not denied, but still
the whispers to " hedge.' are not silenced.

The rumoured retirement of the Duke of Richmond
from all active participation in the sport of horse racing
was founded in truth. Messrs. Tattersall have received
instructions to sell, by auction, the remaining portion
of his grace's thorough-bred stock. The sale was, I
believe, appointed to take place on the 14th instant, but
circumstances have rendered its postponement necessary.
In the Duke of Richmond the turf will lose a staunch
and true supporter, and sporting men of all grades and
conditions will regret the retirement of a nobleman
whose name has been so long and honourably associated
with all that belongs to the purer part of our national
pastime. A FRESH MAN.
' February 7.