The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-10 00:00:00

The Cheltenham Grand Annual Steeplechases take place
on Friday and Saturday next.
Penarth was scratched for the Surrey Open Steeplechase
at Croydon.
The forfeits of Mountain Doe and Garus have been
paid.
Artesia, the two-yr-old bay filly by Stockwell out of
Artless, broke down whilst exercising at Mallon. last Tues-
day.
Archimedes, who ran muzzled in the Queen's Plato on
Friday, at Newmarket, is about to be added to the list of
geldings.
After Custanco had piloted Bertio to victory in the 50
sovs Sweepstakes at Newmarket, on Tuesday, Mr. Chap-
lin presented that clever jockey with the stakes, "because,'
said he, "it was you who won the race, and not the
horse."
Aldcroft, who has latterly been at Harrowgate, is still
unable to "waste" sufficiently to enable him to resume his
professional duties.
Fordham's sprained wrist still prevents him from ap-
pearing in the saddle, and he was not present at New-
market. Owing to his continued indisposition, he has vexa-
tiously missed riding John Davis at Northampton, and
Ceylon in the Biennial at Newmarket.
An accident happened to Mr. Ten Broeck opposite " the
Rooms" on Wednesday. Having dismounted from his
hack, he gave it in charge of a boy ; he had scarcely done
so when the horse jumped round, knocked Mr. Ten Broeck
down, and trod upon. Fortunately he was not seriously
hurt.
CROSS-COUNTRY RACE, PETERBOROUGH.—Mr. Bell's
Pugilist and Mr. Johnson's Discord ran two miles across-
country, near Peterborough, each carrying lOst 71b, last
week. The betting was 2 to 1 on Discord, who was ridden
by Mr. Laxton, Frank Lotan steering Pugilist. After
going over two fields Discord took a clear lead, made the
rest of the running, and won in a canter.
GLADIATEUR AND GENERAL PEEL.—It was currently
reported during the Craven Meeting, at Newmarket,
that it was not unlikely a match would bo arranged be-
tween these celebrities. We, however, entertain strong
doubts about their meeting, except, possibly, in a weight-
for-age race.
AUGUSTE.—This French candidate for the Derby held
a levee in his box at Newmarket, on Wednesday evening,
several prominent speculators and turfites being invited to
inspect Count Lagrange's establishment. Auguste,
judging from recent market operations, does not seem to
have benefited by the interview.
EGLINTON HUNT MEETING.—It will be seen that this
once popular meeting has been resuscitated, and will take
place at Bogside, near Eglinton Castle, on May 10. The
course, as laid out, forms part of the old race-course,
where the grand stand still remains.
Mr. William Adkins, better known as "Bill Adkins,"
croupier, aged 53, died at Newmarket, on Thursday. De-
ceased left London on Monday, and narrowly escaping a
railway accident at Cambridge on his way to Newmarket,
his nerves were so shaken, that ho could not got over it,
and, gradually sinking, expired as above stated.
We have the authority of Mr. llodgman for stating that
Valiant was not officially struck out of the Doncaster Han-
dicap. Tho circumstances are these—Mr. Hodgman met
Mr. Johnson on the day before the handicap, and, in the
course of a conversation with that gentleman, said "he
would not run his horse," but as he, for certain purposes,
did not wish Valiant to be struck out, ho gave Mr. John-
son no authority to that effect, and could, therefore, had
he chosen, have started the horse.
At a meeting of the stewards of the Jockey Club, held
at Newmarket on Thursday evening, James Grimshaw was
suspended until the Derby day in consequence of his re-
fusal to ride the Marquis of Hastings's colt Prodigal at the
last Warwick Meeting. As it has been reported that the
jockey's suspension extension extends over the Derby
week, we beg to state that such is not the case ; he
will be at liberty to ride in the Derby.
Anntun EDWARDS.— Mr. Merry, it seems, was dissatis-
fied with the manner in which Arthur Edwards rode
Marksman, in the Althorp Park Stakes, at Northampton,
and this coming to the knowledge of the jockey he at once
resigned the " yellow jacket and black cap." We believe
the only exception Mr. Merry took to Edwards' riding of
Marksman was that he got off badly at the starting-post,
and no imputation of any kind was intended by his em-
ployer against the jockey. Lord Stamford is now Ed-
wards's first master, on dit at a retaining salary of £5OO per
annum.

GRAND NATIONAL HUNT COMMITTEE.-At a meeting
held at Newmarket on Tuesday, April 3, the Duke of Beau-
fort and Viscount Andover were added to the committee,
and it was resolved that " the Naval and Military Club be
added to the list of those whose members are qualified as
gentlemen riders. The following gentlemen were elected
as qualified to ride :—Captain Dakin, Messrs. R. J. Bankes,
George Bonner, J. Perkins, A. W. Powles, T. A. Quin, T.
F. Rolt, Norman K. Wentworth, W. H. White, and A. S.
Yates. A meeting of the committee will be held on the
course at Crewkerne, before the races on the first day,
when a ballot for gentlemen riders will take place.
Mr. Charles Davis, the celebrated huntsrhan,
whose recent accident was by no means serious,
has resigned his post, and was succeeded on Easter Mon-
day by Harry King, who has been his most efficient first
whip for several seasons. Mr. Davis completed his 78th
year on the 15th of January last, and has spent 65 smsons
in the service of Royalty. In 1801, he began as whip to
his father, who was then "hare huntsman" to George 111.,
and the first hare he ever saw killed was near Virginia
Water. After a few seasons he joined the Royal Stag-
hounds (which were then hunted by his future father-in-
law, Mr. Sharpe), but only in the capacity of pistol-boy.
In those troubled times, when every hand was against
England., and spies and traitors were on the look-out from
dusk to dawn, it was not deemed safe for " Farmer George"
to ride home alone after hunting. Hence Mr. Davis and
another youth carried a brace of horse-pistols, and as soon
as the chase was done, they handed them over, in ex-
change for their horns to two yeoman pricker; who rode
home on each side of the King. Promotion came pretty
rapidly, and after acting as whip for a few seasons,. Mr.
Davis was gazetted as huntsman in 1822, and he has cer-
tainly left a name to point a " moral or adorn a tale," as
long as brilliant horsemanship, thorough knowledge of
hunting, and fine tact and temper on the field are loved and
prized by Englishmen. The Hermit and Columbine in
earlier days, and Sepoy and Pioneer in later, are the horses
on which he went best. We are glad to hear, Jhat ho will
retain his old house near the kennels, and we can only
trust that we shall still see him wear the scarlet and gold,
by the side of Harry King, in an Ascot Cup Day proces-
sion.—Sporting Life.