The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-27 00:00:00

E PORI ING INTELLIGENCE.

CROYDON AUTUMN STEEPLECHASES:
TUESDAY.
The business of the legitimate steeplechase season began
yesterday at the Croydon Autumnal Meeting, under the
direction of Mr. J. P. Verrall. Although the morning
broke with raw, cold, and cheerless weather, still as the
day wore on more cheering prospects presented them-
selves, and an enjoyable day's sport was the result, there
being little or no delay in the weighing-room, an entire
absence of objections, and no running in the dark, as is
only too often the case when the events are so numerous
on the card. There was only ono drawback to complete
success. We refer to tho accident which befell Mr. Edwards,
the rider of Endsleigh, in the Grand National Hurdle
Race. Mr. Edwards sustained severe cuts about the face,
and was otherwise bruised and shaken. It will, however,
be consoling to Mr. Edwards's friends to learn that he is
recovering as favourably as can be expected, and that he
is carefully attended by Mr. Lanchester in Croydon. Potter
also got an ugly spill; but after a brief rest he seemed not
very much the worse. There was a very good attendance,
some thousands of people paying for admission into the
grounds. The leading patrons of the so-called " illegiti-
mate" sport were present within the enclosure, which was
numerously patronised. The line of country run over
was the same as last year, namely, at Stroud Green, about
two miles east of Croydon and one from Norwood Junc-
tion. The land has since last year been thoroughly
drained, and the committee have profited by experience,
and considerably altered the takings off and landings at
the fences. The water jump had not been diminished at
all, but the gorse has been sloped, so that the horses can
see where they are going to land. The Grand National
Hurdle Race was the event of yesterday, and it produced
ast umerous field, amongst them being some accomplished
timber toppers." Endsleigh, the winner of tho sen-
sational Metropolitan, sustained an injury which is
more than likely to put an end to her racing career. The
mare, not perceiving one of the obstacles, did not rise toit,
but bungling over it came down on her head and made a
cavity capable of admitting a 71b weight. The race was
won easily by Steamboat; Moose, whose first appearance
it was in the character of a hurdle-jumper, being second.
Mario Louise, the Liverpool and Shrewsbury winner, broke
down in her off hied pastern, and limped in fourth. She
was made the favourite with her stable companion, being
backed at 2 to 1, whilst 6 to 1 was laid against the winner.
The Stewards' Plato was won by the useful Comberton ;
and he did the backers a good turn, bringing them back
their losses on the Hurdle Race. Details of the day's
sport are appended :
A Selling Hurdle Race Stakes of o sous each, with 25
added; three year olds lOst, four list 41b, five and up-
wards list 71b; winners of a hurdle race value 40 sous
51b extra; the winner to be sold for 50 sous; about one
mile and a half, over six hurdles.
Mr. Pawley's Roving Maid, 3yrs, lOst (Potter ) 1
Air. W. S. Stonehewer's Lytham, 6 yrs, list 121 b (Pickett) 2
Mr. W. G. Jarvis's Order, 3 yrs, lOst blb (W. Jarvis) 3
Mr. White's ./Erolite, 3 yrs, lOst ...............(H. Jackson) 0
Betting-5 to 4 agst Roving Maid, sto 2 agst Lytham,
and 3to 1 agst Order. Roving Maid made the running
followed by Order, rolite bringing up the rear. Round-
ing the bend Order drew up to Roving Maid, these two
being four lengths in advance of the other pair. After
going about a mile Lytham dropped into the rear, Roving
Maid simultaneously increasing the lead. Both Order and
Erolite refused the hurdle at the mile post, Jackson being
unseated, but Order being persevered with went on in the
rear. Jackson remounted, and went on fully a quarter of
a mile behind the leaders, of whom Roving maid was still
in the van. At the turn Lytham was beaten, and Roving
Maid won in a canter by 20 lengths, Order finishing a bad
third, Erolite walking in with the crowd. The winner
was bought in for 87 guineas ; and Lytham, who ran
second, was also put up, but, the auctioneer failing to
realise a bid of more than a "pony," this horse was also
bought in.

The grand National Ilurcllo Eno II licap of 15 aoti•.seaoh,