The Sun.
London, England, 1851-03-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON,

SPORTING NOTES.
Co. XVI.
AFALYSIS OF THE 17 W ENTY- EIG Inn CUES-
TE CI:PHAN RICA P.

" KING Joint Thou idle dreamer, wherefore say'st thou so
PETER—Foreknowing that the truth will fall out so."
King John, Act 4, Scene 2.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN:

SIR,---A goad day's sport came off at Coventry on
Tuesday, and, with the exception of Abd-el-Kader's
position in the steeplechase, much as I expected it would.
The Flat race, as I announced in Note No. 15, was a
certainty for Heart of Oak (3 yrs, sst 416), or Hezy (3
yrs, 4st 121 b), and so it was; for, after the four,year-old
Baotou (7st 3ib) had been indulge with the lead for a
mile, the promising son of Old England, and Lamp-
lighter's sturdy daughter, Phosbe, sailed to the front,
carried on the running to the end, and proved himself
in possession of a genuine heart of oak, by winning
easily by two lengths. He will be heard of favour-
ably at Doncaster. Hazy was third; and the much-fan-
cied INlcase and Modtistina nowhere ! After I had
dotted down my remarks on the Craven Steeplechase
on Monday last, in consequence of certain
" moves " in the City and at the West-end, I was
forced to alter my views of the result. I had marked out
Rattrap as the horse, but finding that he would not go,
I sppsnded a po,tscrint to my note, stating that " the
money" was otaThe Victim, and that he would prove
the winner; be won very cleverly by half a length, car-
rying lOst 121 b, heating Abd-el-Kader, 1 Ist (second);
Sir Pet,r Laurie, 1 Ist 51b (third); and five others, in-
cluding that renowned source of " vanity and vexation of
spirit," Vain Hope, of whom it is asserted, that had not
,tibtle poison or something else placed the horse in
" queer-street," ho could not have lost the Liverpool
Steeplechase; at least this is the sum and substance of
Mr. Buck's extraordinary pamphlet so freely circulated
at the " Corner" on Monday. Frisby landed The Gene-
ral (10st 61b) cleverly by half a length from Mr. Oake's
Half-and-Half (lost 121 b); Seignor of Holderuess (9st
81b) being third, and Venice a bad fourth and last.
Half-and Half was backed even against the field, and
considered a certainty; but the pot boiled over, like the
Seignor of Holdernes's at Liverpool.
Seven and twenty years have ealapsed since the Doge
of Venice 6 yrs, 9st 21b, won the first Tradesmen's
Plate, or, as it is more commonly called, the Chester
Cup, during which period the stake has risen from the
rank of an ordinary one to be the first handicap of the
day. The following table will show its position this
year, so far as regards the entries and acceptances, as
compared with the last five years:-
1846, nominations 142, accceptances 92
1847 1) 176 107
1848 156 91 106
1849 S. 201 1) 107
1850 189 „ 104
1851 f t 192 83

Thus, although 1851 has, with one exception, the great-
est entry, it has a smaller acceptance, by nine, than
1846, and shows a falling off on the average of the last
four years of twenty-three, but, notwithstanding, the
amount of business done on it is quite &teal, if not su-
perior, to any preceding year.
Since the establishment of the Chester Cup in 1824, it
has been won four times by aged horses, thrice by six
years old, eight times by five years old, eleven times by
four years old, and only once by a three-year old. Thus
it will be seen the chances aro nearly five to two in
favour of the winner being a four or five-year old, six
to four against a four-year old, five to two a five-year
old, nearly six to one an aged horse, eight to one a six
year-cld, and twenty-six to one a three-year old. I
will now proceed to a consideration of the respective
chances of the animals engaged in. the Chester Cup of
1851; beginning with Day's lot, as he tops the handicap
with Peep-o'-day Boy, aged, Bst 101 b, who, if reserved
for this event (query), will command attention; he holds
Glance and Russborough safe enough, giving the latter
only 41bs. I am inclined to think that the Brother to
Dough, 4 yrs, 6st 101 b, will be the representative of
the Danebury stable; his couple of performances last
year were nothing wonderful truly, he having only ac-
complished the feat of running a fair third to Captain
Grant for the First-class Madrid Stakes, and second
at let llb to Blucher, 5 e rs, 9st 131 b, for the Queen's
Plate at the Curragh; in the former he beat
The Marchioness D'Eu, Pio Nono, Caprice, and
Brother to Johnny, in the latter Chatterbox
and five others; he is in first-rate trim, and
considerably improved on last year's form, I shall
number him among my select few. The Prior of Laner-
coat, 4 yrs, 6st 10I'o, also in the same stable, has never
yet done anything particularly creditable, though it is
said he will do something remarkable in the course of
the spring—l am dubious, on the point. Dockeray has a
couple in the list, vie., (llama, 5 yrs, Bst 81b, and Cla-
rissa, 5 yrs, 7st 31b, but neither, I imagine, likely to be
found in the fray. Murphy also has a couple, Russ-
borough, 4 yrs, Bst 61b, and Conveyor, 4 yrs, Est 61b;
both may be set down as hopeless. Fobert has Elthiron,
5 yrs, Bst 21b (not likely to start), and The Knight of
Avenel, 4 yrs, 7st 31b; the latter has been leniently
treated by the handicapper, and well supported in the
market a short time since, but rumours having got into
circulation highly detrimental to his chance, he was at
one time sent to the right about, fifties to one going
tiabeggiog, but he has since to some extent re-
covered his former position, and may be quoted at 25 to 1;
the rumours were not altogether out, his pins
are not in the most unexceptionable cendition, and
though at the weight (if well) must be a dangerous op-
ponent, I cannot reeemmend him as a good investment.
E. Parr has five under his care, including two celebri-
ties, Woolwich, 5 yrs, Bst, and The Black Doctor, 3 yrs.
Oat 41b; the former is sure to run well, and the latter, if
he gets a good start, may attempt the Red Deer game of
1844, whether he can accomplish it depends a great deal
on the jockey; however, this much I will venture to as-
sert, that he will show his tail to the rest of the three-
years old division, not even excepting Nancy, 3 yrs, 4st
121 b, who is his superior at a short distance, but I should
much doubt her capability of beating him over a 21
mile course. The Goodwood stable has accepted wiit,
five—Bee Hunter, 4 yrs, 7st 121 b (five or six pounds
too much), William the Conqueror, 4 yrs, ist 71b (la-
bours under the same disadvantage as the Hunter), colt
by Gladiator out of Khorassan's dam, 4 yrs, 6st 101 b
(sot intended for this stake). Hesse Homburg, 3 yrs,
4st 10lb (will not start, I fancy), and Hurry Scurry,
3 yrs, 4st 41b, who, if started, would probably bolt
into the Dee. A. Taylor has only Vatican, 5 yrs,
7st 10Ib, intended, I believe, for the Metropolitan.
Treen's lot consists of but two—Windiscbgratz, 4 yrs
7st 101 b, who has about 101 b too much allotted to him;
and Rhesus, 5 yrs, 7st, whose merits Mr. Topham has, in
my opinion, fairly estimated; Rhesus was out twice last
year; carrying 7st 21b in a mile and throe-quarters spurt
at Chester, he rau a wretched last to Cockermouth, 5
yrs, 7st 51b; Gulliver, 4 yrs, 6st 61h; and Diana, 4 yrs,
6et; at Warwick in a mile and a half turn, carrying 7st,
he ran home a bad fourth to Tullius, 4 yrs, 7st 21b
(first); Little Jack, 3 yrs, sst 101 b (second); Uriel. 4
yrs, 7st 51b (third); and beat Docility, 4 yrs, sst 11lb;
and Escape, 5 yrs, Est 61b. These are the marvellous
public performances cf the first favourite for the Chester
Cup; but you must not judge by them, his last private
spin was a much superior affair, he then came off with
flying colours. I should not fancy investing much on
him, but would nevertheless bold him harmless. The
great Mallon stable is represented by Backbiter,
6 yrs, 7st 91b, who will be especially reserved
for this race; his weight is favourable, and his
public performances quite up to the weight, further
deponent sayeth not. Tom Taylor has but one in the
melee, but that one is a a rattler; the five-year-old
daughter of Dou John and Industry, Lady Evelyn, was
my first as it is likely to be my last fancy for the
" coop;" her ladyship's couple of appearances in public
last year snowed a terrific falling-off from her three-
year-old achievements, hut then she was not quite her-
self either time; in the first she was beaten half a
length by Osterley (who came to the post a perfect pic-
ture) for the Port S: ekes, and afterwards, carrying Bet
fib, was beaten off for the Grand Stand Handicap at
Epsom, won by Escape, 5 yrs, 7st 11h; Jelly F.:l, 4
yrs, 6st 131 b (second); Herbert, 4 yrs, ist 11b (third);
and the following ran home m company with her:—
Dough, 5 yrs, Bst 71b; Eagle's Plume, 5 yrs, 7st 111);
and Lady Frances, 5 yrs, Est 71b. In Note No. 1, of the
13th January last, I observed that she was ° worth a
heavy investment at fifty, if for no other purpose than
hedging;" this has been made manifest by her
advance to 20 to 1 at the list houses, and
25 to 1 at " the Corner " and Manchester; she ill
see half the price before the race is run,
and with Nat's cool head to direct her movements on the
Roodee, she will be about the mark; and nothing would
give me greater pleasure than to see Lord Chesterfield's
red and purple colours once more in the ascendant. Percy's
only nag, the aged Vampyre, at 7st 71b, is in, compara-
tively, on better terms fur the Metropolitan than this
stake, and as he goes for the former I should doubt his
running for the latter. Torn Dawson comes out with
Baby, 5 yrs, 7st 71b (who is said to be THE horse), Lang-
ton, 5 yrs, ist 71b (who is, no doubt, intended for
something some time or other, but when no one knows),
the Italian, 4 yrs, 7st 51b (who has made as welch noise
in the ring as the wise-man who represents the Ponti-
fical interests of Italy in England has in the Senate; but
I think, in both instances, to sink eventuallyorthamp-
into obli-
vion), the Cocktail, 5 yrs, 7st (going for the N
ton bout), Joe Sutherland, 5 yrs, 6st (wretched ani-
ma)), and Tightwaist, 3 yrs, 4st 121 b, held safe
by Nancy and the Black Doctor. More about
this lot at some future period. Ford once
brought out a Chester Cup winner, to wit, St. Lawrence,
but that he can do so this year I hold to be somewhat
of the impossible; he has Cyprus, 4 yrs, 7st 71b; Sauter-
Blarney Dulcet, aged, 6st 10lb; and
-C o
Flare-up,upe
4 5
yis left among the
acceptances, and yet announced as a stallion. 'the Mar-
rYsr,ssl s 1 7st
15b. ib;
quis of Waterford's Duc-an-Durras, 6 )'re, 7st 51b, may
realize something better than a stirrup-cup draught, not
at all unlikely to get a cup of another description with a
golden draught,:at least CO I'Ainson thinks. Lumley has
Montague, 5 yrs, 7st 21b, and Garforth, 4 yrs, 6st 10th:
the former is much inquired after, ought to run well at
the weight, but I think his master's in the field. I don't
know whether Harrison's Seaman (4 yrs, ist) is going to
1”, a second Pce-o'-day Hoy or not; it is reported that
mischief is meant with him; he was beetled yesterday at
as little as 30 to 1; his performances last year were
running second to Blucher, receiving 2se 31b, for a
Queen's; Plate at the Curragh, and a second time being
second, this ingo to Ilarkover, receiving two stone;
at present I do not sea anything attractive
in his chance, I may change my opinion, but I think
not. Stehbing sports seven acceptances, but at the pre-
, sent writing 1 cermet .5:.y anything in favour of any but
Strap, who at fist 41b, and eget], might be found stump-
; tug away in the front when least expected. W.
nansen has Sir Philip, 4 yrs, sst 81b; and haricot, 4 yrs,
6,t 121 b; the latter has been Lacked for an immense
etake, in fact some of her party go so far as to say it's
all over, but I must cliff. :r hem this very conclusive
opinion. I watched her running last year very closely,
and am of opinion that she will run for ward, but not
proo the wiluter. kielef PA Limo Loodateue, 6 ixo,

Gst 121 b, not likely to prove very attractive, I mean the
Loadstone, not " The Life." Damask's chance, if
meant, looks blooming at 60: 1016; Mickleton also, at
6st l 01h, may run forward. Wallflower, 5 yrs, 6A, re-
minds me of the ghostly Beg Bowe: of other days;
she may turn out as bad, I shall not anchor
my hopes on her. Wadlow has The Flying
Gout, not the distemper of that name, you'll
understand, but what may to nearly as troublesome to
the rocket as the gout is to the body, the quadruped
who rejoices in that cog., who at sst 121 b, and a five-year
old, if not got gouty pins, ought to run forward. The
remainder of the nominations I shall not comment upon
at present, but at once proceed to sum up and give my
verdict, which I've arrived at altar mature deliberation and
consideration of the subject; it it, that the animals most
likely to be favoured by fortune are the following:—
Woolwich, Lady Evelyn, Duc-an-Durras, Rhesus, Hari-
cot, Damask, Brother to Dough, the Knight of Avenel,
Strap. Wallflower, The Flying Gout, the Black Doctor,
and Nancy; from these I should first throw over the last
six and Rhesus; and especially stand on the first three,
taking LADY EVELYN for choice, and as the probable
winner of the Chester Cup of 1851.
I am, Sir, yours, 85c.,
THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF.
March 7, 1851.