The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-18 00:00:00

SPURTING NOTES.

The decision of the committee at Tattersall's on the
lolled Dove case, which is as follows, is condemned on all

hands: --

" Soiled Dove, three years old, having been disqualified
by Rule 17, all bets which were won on the three sweep-
stakes and match must be refunded, as well as the money
for which she was backed. The second horses in each
case of the races alluded to being the bowl file winners of
the stakes and bets. " 11. J. Rous,
" G. PAYNE,
FItEDK. FITZROY.
" Tattersall's, Monday, March 11, 1867."
Mr. Chaplin, however, has forwarded the following pro-
test, but I think it might have been made on much broader
principles :

(Copy.)
TO THE COMMITTEE OF TATTEItSALL'S SUBSCRIPTION

ROOM

9, Dover-street, Piccadilly, W., March 15, 1867.
Gentlemen,—As it app.ars from the notice at Tatter-
sall's o❑ Monday last that the question iu reference to the
bets in the Soiled Dove case was settled by three members
of the committee only, whereas Rule VII[. of Tattersall's
provides that the quorum shall b:3 five, 1 beg to submit to
t•lis members of the committee that in justice to the
backers of Soiled Dove, the case should at least be heard
and decided by the recognised tribunal • onstitutcd accord-
ing to the rules, and by such tribunal only.—l remain,
gentlemen, your obedient servant, HENRY CHAPLI'.
And a more unsatisfactory conclusion, in my estimation,
was never arrived at. Underneath is a list of the mem-
bers of the committee*, and I may be permitted to express
some surprise at the majority .of them being conspicuous
by their absence. When one notices the names of Beaufort,
Newcastle, Coventry, and Westmorland on the commit-
tee, it is natural to wonder at their not being present upon
such an occasion as this to -lend their influence and

tion to a satisfactory solution of this uafortunate affair,
which must, as a matter of course, be a great injustice to
some of the parties concerned. The first rule of betting
says that " In all bets there must be a possibility to win
when the bet is made; you cannot win when you cannot
lose ;'' and why innocent parties should be made to suffer
for the offences of others is beyond my comprehension.
When the gallant Admiral nails his colours to the mast he
has a right to adhere to them, but in this case he certainly
has been premature in doing so. Supposing himself the
innocent holder of a forged cheque or Bank of England
note, Would it be just, or right, or propr that he should
suffer the penalties" attaching2.to the guilty party by law ?
aryl unless 'an answer is given -in the affirmative how can
he, in common honesty, inflfct on Mr. Chaplin and others
the penalty which are put in force by Rule 17. Does
the Admiral doubt Mr. Chaplires entire innocence, as most
assuredly on no other grounds can he justify the decision
given. If, as I believe, Soiled Dove was foaled abroad,
there can be no doubt that the officials of the Jockey Club
were guilty of negligence quite sufficient to make them
liable in a court of justice to him for whatever loss he may
sustain should the above 'decision 133 enforced. Rule 15
has been entirely ignored by them, and from that
inches arises all the mischief, as in the other case Mr. Chap-
lin would not have had the opportunity of claiming Soiled
Dove, and who did 80 uuder the responsibility of the
Jockey Club management. On looking over the list of
names it is remarkable that although the bookmakers as a
class are more enterprising and energetic than any other,
they appear to have been quite indifferent to have their
interests properly represented on the committee. Surely
now, when their ti ansactions are daily of such magnitude,
it would be worth while for some of the leading book-
' makers to take counsel together, and draw up a code of
better rules for themselves. The only difficulty I can

foresee is the requisite unanimity amongst them. With it
there is nothing to prevent them not only framing the
rules, but enforcing them.. Their power properly managed
would be fully equal to the Jockey Club, and I hope the
suggestions I have made will attract their notice.
The principal meeting of the present week is Warwick,
though Bromley. a few miles from town on the South
Eastern line, will doubtless be extensively patronised on
Friday and Saturday. For the Trial Stakes on Tuesday
at the first-named place, REDAN must be my selection, as he
has a fine turn of speed over this distance of ground, and
had he not stumbled at Chelmsford in his first race there
would, I feel persuaded, have been very troublesome to
the winner. In the Sweepstakes of 25 soya each EAU' DE
VIE is most likely to prove beneficial. Winning the
Willoughby Handicap entails a penalty of 71b for the
principal race of the meeting, and having doubts whether
either Pintail or Life Guardsman will run, my present im-
pression is all in favour of BRICK. The Handicap Hurdle
Race reads well for CHIMNEY SWEEP, or whichever repre-
sents Lord Coventry's interbst. The. Stand Plate was

won by GORDIAN KNOT last year, and it will not surprise
me to see him repeat the victory this time, as he has only
71b more to carry. Should P+Ris run he ought to win the
Handicap of 50 sovs, and in his absence it seems any odds
on CHIBISA. Tho Farmers' Plato I know nothing about.
The Great Warwicks'aire Handicap will be the chief
attraction on Wednesday. Of the 2G- animals engaged,
Beadle or Wild Agnes, Wandering Minstrel, Life Guards-
man, Pintail, Endsleigh,,,and, Forester appear most fa-
vourably in, the five three year olds having, to my think-
ing, a very inalifferent chance with their older op-
ponents. WhicheVer represents the Duke of Hamil-
ton is sure td• run forward, but from the demon-

stration made a short time back on behalf of the mare
the City and Suburban f'4/tottld doubt her put-
ting in an appearance here. Wandering Minstrel, on his
Liverpool form, must have an excellent chance. Lifo
Guardsman is some day likely to prove himself a race-
horse, and I would strongly advise your readers never
•

to lose sight of him, and follow suit to any genuine
investments which may bo Made on him. His noble
owner's tactics are so uncertain that it is only at the last
minute one can tell whether the horse is trustworthy, or
even likely to start. Pintail and the Beadle are remark•
ably well in, so also is Endsleigh ; but well at the post I
have great faith in Mr. PayUe's mare, who ought to be
about winning. Forester is also turned loose, and between
the Beadle, Wandering Minstrel, Pintail, I shall leave the
race.

The Two-Year-Old Stakeolvill go to the Duke of New-
castle's NINNY, who has alr9cly given us a taste of his
quality on two previous occasions.
The Grand Annual Steeplechase on Thursday will do-
pond a good deal on the running at Croydon to-day, but
Hornet, Fan, Banker, and Accident ought to furnish the
winner, as they are all favourably in.
Somo little demonstration has already been: made in
favour of Prosorpine for the Metropolitan Stakes, and if
the owner should decide to start her for that event, it looks
like turning out a profitable investment,. Good accounts
also reach me respecting Conundrum for the City and
Suburban Handicap.

A FRESH MAN,

'• His Grace the Duke of Lotd Frecierick Fitzroy.
Beaufort. lion. Col. Henry Forrester.
His Grace the Duke of Now Hon. A druiral
castle. 11. Lowther, E.g.
The Earl of Chestei:field. G. Higgins, Esq.
The Earl of Coventry. G. Payne, Esq.
Tho Entrl of Westmoreland. ; Captai❑ Batchelor.
Viscount Exmouth.
.1. We cannot ascertain who has been nominated by the
committee in the place of the late Earl of Chesterfield.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

CROYDON SPRING STEEPLECHASES.-SITURDAY.

This meeting, after having been postponed from Thurs -
day, on account of the inclement weather, commenced to-
day. The morning opened beautifully fine, and though
there had been a severe frost overnight, the genial warmth
of the sun had moistened the ground considerably prior to
the opening of the proceedings, and rendered tha course,
though somewhat heavy, wry fair going, everything con-
sidered. The attendance did not approach by many hun-
dreds that of the autumn meeting, yet the gatekeepers must
have taken no despicable amount during the day. There
was plenty of accommodation on the stane tor any ....her
of visitors, which no doubt will be fully appreciated on
Monday ik.the weather keep fine, with the various other
itnprovcsnents, which redoend to the credit of the indefati-
gable committee. The racing began with the Open Hun-
ters' Stakes, for which Maurepas and Lincoln started, and
which the young duke's horse won anyhow, Lincoln,
knocked completely out of,time, falling a couple of fences
from home. The SteopleelAs9 Cup produced a field of four,
and resulted in a rare turneip for the fielders. Cortolvin's
chance, from his performance at the Grand National, was
considered such a foregone conclusion that the odds of 5 to
2 were freely laid on him, but he was never in the bunt
after going a mile. As he took his preliminary canter it
must have been apparent to the merest tyro in lacing that
it was not such a good, thing after all; ho galloped like a
Hampstead-heath donkey, and looked little like the winner
of the Liverpool event. Let it not be supposed for a mo-
ment, however, that Sir Bobby did not earn his laurels as
gallantly as any little horse in the world could; ho ran
throughout like the bit of horseflesh he is, and jumped his
fences like a cat. Considering that he is really no bigger
than a sheep's head under a microscope, this is a wonder-
ful performance; but ws still have our doubts whether
it is not too good to be true. He led almost from end
to end, and Tom Ablett had as much as ho could de
to pull at him. The most important contest of the
day was the Grand National Hurdle Race, for which
a dozen made their appearance. The Doctor, who was
backed for lumps both at the post and all over London,
kept in the front rank from start to finish, and eventually
won cleverly by a length. Fortenatus looked particularly
dangerous all through, but swerved all over the course at
the finish in a most unaccountable manner. Tho other
events need no comment, as they will be found fully de-
scribed below:—

The Open Hunters' Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 30 added,
for horses that have been regularly hunted ; 12st each ;
winners of 40 cove to carry 71b extra ; gentlemen riders ;
professionals and others not qualified to ride under the
Grand National Rules as gentlemen riders 71b extra ;

about three miles ; 10 subs.
Duke of Hamilton's Maurep is, aged, 12st 71b (in 71b ex)
(Mr. Crawsbaw) 1
Capt. G. Johnstone's Lincoln, aged, 12st 71b (in 71b ex)
(Mr. Hobson) 0
'

Betting opened at 6 to 5, but closed at evens, on Lincoln.
Maurepas made the running, with a clear lear lead of his
opponent for about a mile, when Lincoln headed the duke's
horse, but ho only sustained the advantage for a few strides,
as Maurepac, improving the paco, again assumed the lead,