The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-12 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

SCRAPS AND FACTS.

The innkeepers of Chester adhere with marvellous
unscrupulosity to the memorable last words of Marmion.
During the recent meeting they seemed more deeply
impressed than ever with the significance of the cry of
" Charge, Chester, charge," and they neglected no op.
portunity which presented itself for putting their own
interpretation of the words into action. On the occa-
sion of the review, at Portsmouth, certain newspapers
I stated that the charges made for beds were quite
"fabulous ;" there was, however, nothing fabulous
about the demand which was made for sleeping accom-
modation at Chester--the exorbitant charges were a
shameful reality. No wonder, then, that the visitors
were disgusted by the extortion which was practised
upon them, and many of them have determined for the
future to lodge for the race week at the different towns
and villages in the neighbourhood. Many persons from
London merely stopped to -see the race for the Cup, and
returned to town the same night, rather than furnish the
black mail levied by the innkeepers. Bigotry and blas-
phemy, too, were rampant at Chester. The walls were
Placarded with Scriptural quotations, and Bibles were
paraded through the streets, preceded by ranting, loud.
tongued fellows, consigning in no measured language all
persons who visited the races to perdition. They were,
however, allowed to pursue their outrageous conduct
unchecked by the authorities, and they were not only
blasphemous and obscene in themselves, but were the
cause of blasphemy and obscenity in others.
People were scarcely prepared for the successful
finale to the One Act which was played out on Wed-
nesday. The mare's running on Tuesday, and the line
furnished by Theodora, seemed to indicate how insignifi-
cant was her chance in comparison with that of Yellow
Jack's. Her success caused people to question
the accuracy of her Tuesday's performance, and
many seemed inclined to regard the exhibition
which she made with Theodora with suspicion.
If that exhibition were intentional it was most cleverly
managed. I, however, am inclined to believe that she
sustained a legitimate defeat, an opinion which receives
additional confirmation by her running with Eulogist on
Thursday.

Mr. Howard experienced a second disappointment
with Yellow Jack, who, however, ran so well and gateely
that bis party do not altogether despair of his Derby
chance. Typee ran a good game mare. Imogene's
running proved that I did not underrate her pretensions
in my anticipatory remarks on the meeting. All sorts
of excuses were made for Yorkshire Grey, who met with
two or three disappointment 3 in the race. His running on
Friday, however, would indicate that his alleged acci•
dents did not materially affect his chance. They who
saw Rifleman before the race were not surprised by his
breaking down. He is now ruined for racing purposes,
and the rapacity which caused him to be sent to Chester
has been deservedly punished. The incidents which
marked the Cup Race, however, must be familiar to
every person interested is sporting affairs. I shall
therefore not unnecessarily occupy space by a further re-
ference to them.

The defeat of Ellington for the Dee Stakes proved
that this horse did really run up to his true form at
York, and that, despite the bolstering up in the bet-
ting which he received, his Derby chance is somewhat
insignificant. Indeed his inglorious exhibition, and
the unsatisfactory debut of Went worth, has rather per-
plexed people to discover a Derby horse worthy of
trust. Cannobie is steadily supported, and Artillery is
b acoming a good favourite. Vandermulin, too, is much
talked about, and his owner intends on this occasion to
give the Ring Jack up the orchard and no mistake.
After Lady Florence's running on Friday, he considers
Yandermulin's success a certainty ; and in the full
flush of his triumph he offered to take 14 " monkey's"
to one. He was, however, only " accommodated" to
the extent of a " pony." After all, however, I
am inclined to think the winner will come from
Whitewall. " Will it be Fazzoletto or Fly-by-Night ?"
is a question, however, frequently asked. All sorts of
rumours are in circulation about Fly-by• Night ; some
state that he is incapable of taking regular exercise,
others that he is all right and doing good work. That
Fly-by-Night is, or was a good horse, the running of
Manganese sufficiently proved. That Fazzoletto is also
an animal with pretensions raised far above mediocrity,
his victory over Yellow Jack clearly demonstrated.
From the earnest manner in which he is backed, I am
reclined to believe that he will be the trusted representa•

tive of the stable. If my memory serves me aright,
John Scott has not yet won a Derby for Lord Derby,
who now stands a good chance of obtainiiil77:77;
riband" with Fazzoletto. Report states that the Prince
is likely to prove another " Merry Monarch." He is
certainly a monstrously fine horse.
Sporting writers, with their habitual modesty, have
been parading before the public the accuracy of their
divinations on the events decided at Chester. As a
proof, therefore, that I possess, to an equal extent, the
faculty of seeing into the middle of next week, I may
state that I named the absolutely first and second for the
Chester Cup, aad was successful in anticipating the re-
sults of the minor races.

I did intend to refer to the meeting which took place
at Harrow o❑ Saturday, but on inquiry I found the
affair was too contemptible to notice.

It was expected that the " new rule of claiming"
would spoil Mr. Frail's game at Shrewsbury. No such
thing. John Frail is not a man to be easily discouraged,
or to allow anything to baulk his determination of car-
rying out his undertaking with success. He has pre-
pared a most attractive programme, and has established
a mast ingeniously devised rule of his own for the re-
gulation of his selling races. The meeting will com-
mence to-morrow and terminate on Wednesday, the last
day clashing with the opening day at Manchester.
It is with considerable hesitation I offer an opinion
on the events appointed for decision. Lawn ought to
win the Salopian Stakes. Admiral Lyons may carry off
thel'Longner Hall Stakes. The forfeits for the Cleve-
land Handicap are to be declared to-day ; it would
therefore be ridiculous to attempt to pick the winner
until it be known " what is left in."

Boer, Corin, Omer Pacha, and Jane Shore seem to
have the best of the weights for the Salop Cup.
Of these I shall be induced to " stand" Corin and
Jane Shore. For the B►ennial Stakes I shall select
Larnlsourne. Quince and Lawn are my fancies for the
Hawkestone Cup. For the preposterously light handi.
cop, the Sbropshire Stakes, I shall select Veteran, Boer,
and St. Clair.

The Manchester meeting will draw off many turfitea
rom Shrewsbury on Wednesday. The Trafford Han-
cap I assign to Ellermire ; Bourgeoise is next in
my esteem. It is somewhat puzzling to arrive at a
satisfactory conclusion as to the probable issue of the
race for the Union Cup. Types is amongst the nomina-
tions, and I should he inclined to stand her, but a pro-
bability exists that she will be reserved for the Tradea'
Cup. The other noteworthy names are Ellermire (who,
by the way, is engaged for the Trafford Handicap), Bere-
zina, Stork, and Prince of Orange. The Sapling Stakes
may go to Blink Bonny, and the Produce Stakes to
Aleppo. Barrel and Prince's Mixture shall do battle
for me for the Philips Handicap.
Typee will doubtless win the Trades' Cup ; Paletot
may be second. I shall not at the present refer to the
other items contained in Thursday's programme, but
will discuss them and Friday's events on Wednesday.
May 12. A FRESH MAN.