The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-16 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

FROST BOUND.

- -
Jack Frost seems determined to spoil the jumpers'
game. He has reappeared just time enough to upset
the arrangements of the promoters of the Waltham
Abbey Steeplechases, which were appointed to take
place to-morrow. The published programme really looks
very attractive, but it is stated in certain quarters that
it has merely been " cooked" to deceive the public.
Certain it is that horses have been entered for some of
the stakes without the consent or knowledge of their
respective owners, who have thereat waxed exceedingly
wroth and indignant. It isa common practice nowadays.
however, for clerks of the courses to take this liberty, and
the getters up of the Waltham Steeplechases may plead
precedent in extenuation of their conduct. This custom
would certainly be more honoured in the breach than is

the observance, and it too plainly indicates how degene-
rate must be the sport whose feeble existenoe can only
be sustained by means not exactly in accordance with
the principle of fair play and fair dealing. Still, had
not the frost intervened, a somewhat successful meeting
would doubtless have been celebrated at Waltham.

A discussion of the probabilities would not only now
unnecessarily occupy space, but were there a possibility
of the events being run off, it would be as absurd to at-
tempt to discover the game which will be played as to
endeavour to see through a milestone.
The Steeplechase season, down to the present time,
has been marked by incidents of a mild and uninteresting
character. The little " indiscretions "at the tin-pot
meetings at Windsor and Ipswich only created a trap•
sient burst of indignation and ridicule, and were, per-
haps, aster all, unpremeditated pieces of absurdity. The
Great Steeplechase Match, which was decided at Melton
Mowbray on Saturday, has furnished a topic of conver-
sation which is likely to interest for several days frost-
bound huntsmen and turfites. The figure which Abd-
el-Kader cut was moot inglorious ; to the no little asto-
nishment of his owner he was incapable of moving, and
Jem Mason is much annoyed and chasrinesl that he
should have made hie reappearance in the pigskin
under such inauspicious circumstances. "Once to
be in doubt is to be resolved" with Lord Strathmore, who
is, I believe, determined to search out the cause of
Abd-el-Kader's disgraceful defeat. At present, Lis
eitibi`,ion can only be attributed to his " tight plate,"
which was removed as soon as it was discovered, and
the horse, relieved from the contraction which it occa-
sioned, was enabled to walk free and well. Tb•
circumstances connected with Abd-el-Kader's defeat
have caused no little regret to those real lovers of the
sport, who hoped that the high and palmy days of
steeplechases were about to be revived.
" Blank days" at the Corner during the winter months
were last season of frequent occurrence. Now, how-
ever, the sporting reporter has seldom to record one,
and if the investments are not remarkably heavy, a fair
show of business is at least maintained. Blink Bonny
holds her position in the market with much steadiness.
Tournament and M.D.—two of my especial favourites—
keep their ground, and if they winter well they will be
most formidable customers.

Clerks of coarser are bestirring themselves to obtain
nominations fur the stakes', which close on the Ist of
January, when the note of preparation will be again
sounded for the renewal of the racing campaign. Mean•
while horses at the different training establishments are
confined to their straw beds, and jockeys are enjoying
themselves and making the best of their leisure during
their brief period of rest. A FRESH MAN.
Dec. 16.