The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-25 00:00:00

;he programme.

Upwards of fifteen starters are likely to go to the
post. They will be selected from the following list :
Sir Peter Lawrie Minerva
Franc Picard I Potter

feau du Quesne
Emigrant
Che Seaman

Boundaway
Free Trader
Little Charley

Forest Queen

Jemmy the Black

Qdckani
Hopeless Star
rumpavra,y
Master David
The italics indicate the d,

Minos
Stamford
Dangerous
Harry Lorrequer
übtful starters.

Sir Peter Laurie, who long held the position of lead-
ing favourite, has 10.2 en " put down" by the sudden rise
if Harry Lorrequer and Thu Seaman. Patehed-up
'sorses are scarcely worth trusting for so severe a race
is that which is likely to take place for the Grand Na-
tional, should Sir Peter meet with no accident during
the encounter, he will most likely attain a forward
position at the finish, I have nevertheless no hesita-
,,ion in recording my want of confidence in his
pretensions. Harry Lorrequer's sham performance
at Nlanchester on New Year's-d.ay evidenVy served
" his turn" and deluded the Handicapper, who has
turned him loose at a weight too light for a steeple.
chase. Should he be able to keep on his legs he ought
assuredly to be able to gallop some of his opponents to
a stand-still. I have no faith in him, however, and his
backers must have a care and watch their " pot" closely
as it will boil over. The Seaman's running at Doncaster
and Warwick last year justifies his position in the
betting. The horse is reported well, and his party
Are evidently in earnest. The animals which
he defeated on the occasion of his two vic-
tories last year were of a superior stamp, and
his performances are sufficiently good to warrant
the opinion that he is most favourably handicapped.
Jean du Quesne —or the " French Horse," as he is c illed
to get over the difficulty of pronunciation— will repre-
sent the interest of our " Allies." The Seaman easily
defeated him at Doncaster last year, albeit at a telling
lifl•erence of weight, and will, I expect, again beat him
at Liverpool. Jean du Quesne, whom my readers doubt-
less will remember, was sometime called Augustine, will
be a most formidable competitor. Emigrant is much
fancied, and will run well ; at the weights, however, I
prefer The P Ater. Stamford has been backed at a " long
shot," but his owner will doubtless reserve him for
the Hurdle Rice, and place his hopes of carrying
off the Grand National in Emigrant. Jumpaway has
bean much talked about, but ho must act pretty quickly
on his user de guerre to pull through with triumph. Of
the remaining outsiders my "fancy" points to Forest
Queen and Minerva. I have been unable to obtain any
satisfactory information concerning the former, but were
I certain she is " all right and meant," I should be in-
clined to believe her a mo't dangerous competitor.
Mdnerva's running at Harrow causes me to entertain a
most favourable opinion of her chance. She can " jump
a bit," and has a good turn of speed.
Although it is hazardous to express an opinion as to

the probable result of a steeplechase, yet the vast interest
which centres in the Grand National induces me to ven•

Pure a " guess" at the winner. Should no accident
occur to upset my calculations I shall expect