The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-11 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

THE SLIP BETWEEN THECUP AND THE "TIP."
The din and confusion which still prevail in " rare oid
Chester" prevent my sending any elaborate remarks on
the race for the Cup. A few rough notes hastily penned
will, however, set forth the doings with sufficient dis-
tinctness. From various causes, the field was not so
large as was generally expected, and when the muster-
roll was called the starters numbered only twenty-four.
The range of speculation was very limited, and indeed
as a betting race the Chester Cup was dull and unin-
teresting. A well-sustained demonstration advanced
Dr. O'Toole to the position of leading favourite. Cobnut,
with whom Mr. Barber declared to win, also received
considerable support ; and Newminster, against whom
"any odds" were offered on Tuesday night, was again
backed at 11 to 1. Indian Warrior commanded numerous
confident partizans, whilst Baalbec, Jack Frost, Tom,
and Eva were in bri,k demand. Peggy and Aldford
went gradually out of favour.
Lough Bawn was scratched on Tuesday afternoon.
He had been tried with Indian Warrior and found want-
ing. This circumstance will account for the Warrior's
" rise" in the betting. Joe Miller was scratched at
a quarter to two o'clock this day. The announcement
occasioned no little surprise, for he had throughout
the morning been heavily backed, and an opinion
was gradually gaining consistency that be, and not
Aldford, would be the actual representative of
his party's interest. His withdrawal was the result of
an accident. About half au hour before he was declared
not to start he was found cast in the stable, and in his
endeavours to extricate himself he had seriously injured
his head. One of his eyes was, lam informed, almost
cut out.
Turfites have seemingly outlived surprise, for the suc-
cess of Epaminondas created no perceptible sen-
sation. The race throughout was a perfect "scrim-
mage," and enough to unnerve the most experi-
enced and determined jockey. Indeed, Templeman
declared that he would never ride for another
Chester Cup. Three mishaps occurred. Soon after
starting, Lurley's saddle twisted, and her rider fell off.
Newminster broke down on the far side of the course,
just as he was beginning to near the leading horses.
On passing the grand stand the last time, Dr. O'Toole,
who was running about sixth, but with no chance of
success, fell, and rolled over Salter ; his jockey, who
was instantly conveyed much injured to the infirmary,
where his hurts received prompt attention. Indian
Warrior was second, and his performance proved
that his party were not much out in their
calculations. On the return to the weighing stand some
confusion ensued, and for a few minutes a probability
existed that the stakes would be awarded to Indian
Warrior. Fordham, the rider of Epaminondas, sent
the scale down with a bump. He, however, could not
draw the " 21b5.," and was therefore allowed to pass.
A penny piece, however, would have turned the balance.
Acrobat was third. He was ridden by Garvey, who in-
judiciously made use of his horse by racing in turn with
every animal that came to the front. This proceeding
was, I believe, contrary to orders. By the way, Wells
was specially retained to ride Acrobat. He had wasted and
reduced himself sufficiently to ride fist. 21bs. albs. over
the handicapped weight. At about two o'clock, how-
ever, a notice was posted to the effect that Wells had
received no authority to declare the 61bs. over weight.
Garvey was, therefore, put up, and Wells was without
a mount ! Aldford figured most ingloriously ; he is
either a bad one, or a badly used one.
The winners among the " fielders" are not in a very
large majority, for Epaminondas was somewhat freely
backed at long shots. His name was not on the " cor-
rect cards," an omission for which Mr. Topham only is
liable, as he himself publicly confessed that he did not
expect Epaminondas would go to the post on account of
his race with Rataplan on Tuesday.
Bourton, the "jumper," made all his own running,
and was only beaten by a length by Rataplan for the
Queen's Plate. The difference between his weight and
that of the three years old was 3st. With the " allow-
ances" he will be a formidable competitor for the Good-
wood Cup.
My anticipated results of Friday's races may be
briefly expressed. Punch-Box may repeat his last year's
victory for the Triennial Stakes. Lord Alfred may carry
off the Wirral Stakes, and Barrel the Eaton Stakes.
For the Cheshire Stakes I select Cobnut, Vanderdecken,
and Mishap. For the Grand Stand Cup Epaminondas's
weight will be increased 141135. I shall therefore "stand
upon" Catherine Parr, Peggy, and Domino.
By the way, I was not far out in my calculations as to
the probable winner of the Cup. Among my selections
were the actual second and third.

A FRESH MAN.

Chester, Wednesday night.

MARKET NE Ws-(T HIS DAY.)

GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN
For the week ended May 11,1854, made up from the Returns of the
In,pectors M the differeat Cities and Towns in England and Wale,,
per Imperial Quarter.
WHEAT. I EASLEY. I OATS. I ATE. I BEANS. PEAS.
79s 9a 37s 01 28s 81 47s 41 47s 101 44s 9d