The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-05 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

Weather permitting, Aintreo will doubtless receive au
unusual amount of patronage from the sporting community.
The Grand Sefton Steeplechase will be the chief attraa-
don on Wednesday, and without going into any elaborato
discussion of the different chances of the twenty-one ac-
ceptances, I shall stand upon KING OF HEARTS and
TENNYSON. For the Corinthian Hurdle Rice, Chris.
Green's representative—he has BRICK and THALASSIUS en-
gaged—will be very near winning, and if beat it will

probably be by Nu, who is in a good school to learn the

art of jumping. in the Sefton Handicap SKYLARK is very
favourably weighted, and between him and KING of
SranEs.there is very little choice, but the first named
ought to win. The Liverpool Nursery Handicap will
most likely be a reflex of the first day's Knowsley Nursery,
but at the time of writing YARDAItOt appears best in, and may
be good enough to defeat the best form displayed on Tues-
day, as he is not amongst those engaged in that event.
Concerning Thursday, MASTER ROBERT and HEREN-
MANUS are my selection for the Handicap Plate ; LADY
Pam, for the Westmorland Cup; whilst THE STAR,
DAWDLE, and GREY STOCKING have nothing to complain
of in their weight for the Stewards' Plate. KING. OR
EIEARTS is well in for the Steeplechase Handicap Plate,
but previous running will be the best guide.
The Liverpool Autumn Cup, which is the only event in
Friday's programme worth discussing, is one of Mr. Top-
ham's happiest efforts, and will challenge comparison with
the best handicap of the season. During a period of some
thirty years the Cestrian Clerk of the Course has doubtless
committed a few errors, but no one can deny his pre-
eminence as an artiste in the manipulation of weights, and
on the present occasion he has surpassed himself. He has
given to the professional critic "a hard nut to crack," in
offering advice anent the winner, and placed both owners
and trainers in a difficulty which they will only be able to
bring to a satisfactory solution on the day. At any rate
one may confidently predict that the successful candidate,
from whatever quarter ha may spring, will not achieve a
bloodless victory. It may also be safe to infer that at this
late period of the year there will be an unusual number of
horses running with their heads loose, and a desire on the
part of their owners to make things pleasant throughout
the dreary winter.
The large number of "contents"-10 out of 101 sub-
scribers—speaks volumes in favour of Mr. Topham's suc-
cess; and it must now be my invidious task to endeavour
to unravel the mystery. The difference of 3st. 71b. between
the top and bottom weights is a wide margin, and although
Sundeelah is called upon to accept the former honour ho is
not apparently out of tho Handicap, as a reference to his
race at York, whore, giving Friponnior 18Ibs., he was only
beaten a heal, and his defeat of Moulsey at Edinburgh,
prove him a first-class horse. For the reason just men-
tioned I am bound to give him the preference over Lord
Bateman's horse. Regalia and Caithness aro both favour-
ably handicapped, awl the latter, evidently returned to
his three-year-old form, possesses a chance second to
none. The mare, however, has had a long rest, as site
was only out for an airing at Lincoln, and in her
best day would be equally dangerous. The safest ad-
vice I can give to those of your readers who fancy the
stable is to back the two coupled.
Dalby makes his last appearance in this race previous to
being sent to the stud, and should the ground be heavy
he might prove a troublesome customer. Still my impres-
sion is more in favour of his stable companion Salamanca,
who most assuredly has a good race in hint some day. This
is another instance where backing the two together is by
far the best policy. Zenobia and Actaia are in Drewitt's
stable, and both mares—the latter having 91b less to carry
than in the Cambridgeshire—are by no means badly in.
Still the market points to the Ascot Stakes winner, who
will stay, and is sure to run very forward in the race. The
weight will stop Knight of the Garter over this distance of
ground. Pearl Diver has no attraction for me, nor do I
know sufficient to recommend Abergeldie or Ackworth.
The Corporal, Mandrake, and Minster Bell are all in Tom
Dawson's stable, but I have a decided preference for the
last-mentioned, who has only to come well to the post, and
represent his interests, to be one of the most dangerous
competitors. Her running with • lnes and Romping
Girl for the Yorkshire Oaks reads most favourably
for her chanty. I cannot stand Newland at the weight.
The Primate, 4 yrs, is not overweightod with 7st, and as
this looks like ono of Mr. Merry's good things, it would
not surprise me to soo him first favourite on the day.
Most flattering reports roach me concerning the horse's
appearance and condition, but as ho has not been in pub-
lic this year I can only refer to his 3-yr-old form. His best
performances last year were getting second to Ceylon for
the Grand Prix de Paris, and also to Rococo, giving him.
31b, in the Northumberland Plate. Tho market is the best
criterion, and, if backed by his straightforward owner,
1 should advise an immediate investment. Proserpina
Thalia, Rabbit Trap, and Southern Cross are all con-
nected with the Pinion interest. The last named was
struck out of the Cesarowitch and Cambridgeshire Stakes
in consequence, it was stated, of having broken down. This
could hardly have been the case, or it is not likely they
would accept with her here. I can only say, when the right
money is on, she is very likely to turn out another
Tibthorpo. Rose was sold for " an old song" the other day,
aad has seen het best day. Honesty will be more suited to
this course. The Doctor and Dr. Syntax are "turned loose,"
which is all I can say in their favour. The Peer's best
form was beating Westwick, Ischia, Dalesmanoand Mount
Palatine in the Eighth Newmarket Biennial Stakes, and
if that could be relied upon, ho would bo sure to win with
only Gst Gib to carry now ; but report says he is a slow
bad horse, and I cannot trust him this journey.
Wadlow's lot, Moulsey (as noticed above), Conundrum,
Jeannie Deans, Orw‘, and Mrs. Allan are all well
in, especially Lord Wilton's horse, who has only to
run up to his last year's form to be about winning.
Fair Wind and Corporal are sure to finish together, and as
T. Dawson probably has a better one to do battle for him I
must ignore the former's chance. Montgoubort will start on
behalf of ,tho French division, and with 101 b loss on his
back than he had for the Cesarewitch Stakes has a fair
outside chance, and it would be as well to bear in mind
that he meets Honesty on 11111 bette: terms than at
Newmarket. Bracken has always had a good private re-
putation, but to my thiaking ho will find this company
too good for him. Tribune, Excitement, Secrecy, New
Guinea, and Scipio are none of them class sufficient to do
their° toners any service on this occasion. Having no w ana-
lysed the whole of the acceptances, more than half of whom
will most likely bo absentees, I think Regalia, Primate,
Montgoubert, Caithness, and Honesty will produce the
winner; and I expect the judge will place

REGALIA ...
... 1
HONESTY ... 2
CAITHNESS •• ~, ~; ... 3
The other events to be decided on Friday aro of no
A FRESH MAN.

importance.

AQUATICS.

BOAT RACE FOR £20.-TIIIS DAY.

A four-oared race for the above amount took place this
morning shortly after 7 o'clock between two crows, picked
from the employes of the Iron and Citizen Steamboat Com-
panies. Two steamers well filled accompanied tho race,
the River Queen (Captain Ayers) carrying the referee,
Mr. 11. A. Reed, front the office of the Sporting Life, stake-
holder. They got to stations on the top of the tide, the
Irouboat having Charley Kelley, brother of the champion,
for stroke, and J. Hill for coxswain, while the Citizens
had William Cuff for stroke, and J. Whanslow for cox-
swain. The crews contended two years ago, when the
Citizens proved the winners ; betting was 6 to 4 on
the Citizens, and the course was from Westminster to Bit-
tersea. The Citizens had the north station, and just as
they started one of the I"onboat men broke an oar, and
having got another they started evenly. Iu 100 yards
the Irouboat men draw out, and led out for 400 yards,
when the others came up, and, by dint of a great deal of
'boring, wrested the lead from them, so that they were a
quarter of a length a head at Lambeth-bridge. A tug then
came down the river, and not easing, the Citizens got so.
Much water in their boat that they had to cease rowing to
prevent being swamped, and thus the Irouboat wen rowed
the diztance Mono.