The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-05 00:00:00

LAST WORDS ABOUT EPSOM.

A pleasanter "day out" was seldom enjoyed than
that at Croxton Park on Tuesday. So far as the racing
was concerned, indeed, the meeting was' slow enough ;
but the fineness of the weather rendered people almost
indifferent to the shortcomings in the supply of sport,
and disposed them to full and unrestrained enjoyment.
The course was very fashionably attended ; but the dis-
tinguished party from Belvoir Castle was absent in con-
sequence of the serious illness of Lady John Manners.
Leybourne carried off the Scurry Stakes, and was
claimed for Mr. French. Although but a moderate
animal, yet, at the selling price, 401., he was not dear,
and the purchase is likely to prove profitable. Sine.
qua-non, Folly of the Day, and Determination made a
good race of it for the Belvoir Castle Stakes, the first-
mentioned animal winning by half a length. The
leading event of the day was, as usual, the Granby
Handicap. Five horses only went to the post. Bourton
was, of course, the favourite, 5 and finally 6 to 4
being freely betted on him. From start to finish his
success was not for an instant in doubt. He lead from
end to end, and won in a canter by three-quarters of a
length. He was ridden by Lord Wilton, who sported
his own colours. The racing was brought to a conclu-
sion with the Sweepstakes for two years old. Flatman
won it on the Epirus Filly ; an achievement which, as
I heard him remark, made his trip to Croxton Park
pleasant.
Two important movements have been made relative
to the City and Suburban Handicap. Virago was on
Monday strongly supported, and this morning on the
platform at the Railway-station, King's Cross, after 4 to
1 had been booked about her to a "poney," a cool hun-
dred" was put on her at 3 to 1 ; odds which were eagerly
taken throughout the day. Notwithstanding, however,
the rush to back Virago, an almost equal anxiety was
evinced to get on Marc Anthony—an animal which be-
longs to the same stable. At the commencement 8 to 1
was taken about him, but before the racing was over, 6
to 1 was with difficulty obtainable. Should Virago be
capable of competing, successfully, I shall be inclined
to believe that the complaints which were made re-
specting her imposts for the Chester Cup were most un-
just. I certainly prefer the chance of her stable com-
panion Marc Anthony, and in stating this preference I
do not pretend to a knowledge of either the intentions
or secrets of her owner. I have, however, arrived at
the deliberate conclusion that the result of the race
will be in favour of either Orestes or Lysisca. Itch, I
am informed, is now in the neighbourhood of Croxton
to run for the Cup. Should she, however, put in an
appearance in Surrey, I shall be induced to make a
slight venture with her as a " cockboat."
The increasing support which Royalist receives for
The Metropolitan has materially stopped speculation on
that event. His partisans, indeed, regard his victory as
a foregone conclusion, for so highly and satisfactory was
he tried that they assert that were Pantomime in the
race at sst 71b they would still " stand" the young'un !
The vast sums of money which are daily being invested
on him has somewhat shaken my scepticism as to his
racing ability, and, unless his party have made an egregious
mistake, Royalist's success would seem to be reduced to
a certainty. Still I am not inclined to place implicit
confidence in his pretensions. On Monday I selected
the following " lot" as being most likely to comprise the
winner :—Muscovite, Haco, Annie Sutherland, and St.
Clair. Since the publication of my notes on that day,
however, both Muscovite and Annie Sutherland have
made a retrograde movement in the betting. This cir-
cumstance, however, scarcely induces me to alter my
opinion respecting them. Should they start, they will,
I am confident, figure conspicuously in the encounter
Flatman left here to-night for Epsom, under orders to
prepare himself to ride Muscovite. Should the " crack"
be destined to defeat, one of the animals mentioned in
the above "lot" will, I anticipate, be the winner.

A FRESH MAN.
Melton Mowbray, Tuesday night.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

BETTING AT MANCHESTER-TUESDAY.

Notwithstanding many of the members have left for
Croxton Park, there was a strong muster this morning
here, and a fair amount of business transacted, the events
decided there to-day, the City and Suburban, and Metro-
politan Handicaps, claiming the greatest share of atten-
tion.
The investments on the Great Northern, Chester Cup,
and Derby, were to trifling amounts.

CLOSING PRICES :-
CITY AND SUBURBAN HANDICAP.
4to 1 agst Virago (taken).
sto 1 agst Mark Anthony (taken).
6to 1 agst Orestes (taken).
14 to 1 agst Merry Monk (taken).
14 to 1 agst Eva (taken).
14 to 1 agst Itch (taken).
GREAT METROPOLITAN STAKES.
3to 1 agst Royalist (taken freely).
6to 1 agst Jonathan Martin (taken).
12 to 1 agst Annie Sutherland (taken).
12 to 1 agst Muscovite (taken).
14 to 1 agst Ariosto (taken).
14 to 1 agst St. Clair (taken).
20 to 1 Huncamunca (taken).
GREAT NORTHERN HANDICAP.
160 to 20 agst Defiance (taken).
CHESTER CUP.
12 to 1 agst Newminster (taken to 1001.).
500 to 30 agst Mark Anthony (taken).
33 to 1 agst Royalist (taken).
33 to 1 agst Duchess of Lorraine colt (taken).
40 to 1 agst Joe Miller (taken).
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
100 to 25 agst Ruby (taken).
DERBY.
Bto 1 agst Dervish (taken).
30 to 1 agst Acrobat (taken).
30 to 1 agst Andover (taken).-

Virago and Mark Anthony (for the City and Sub-
urban) were in immerse force. The same may be said
of Royalist for the Metropolitan and Newminster for
the Chester Cup.