The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-10 00:00:00

Giraffe filly, 3 yrs, Est 21b

Mousetrap, 3 yrs, 6st 21b
Rapture, 3 yrs, 6st llb
Sermo, 4 yrs, Est
Gabrielle d'Estrees, 3 yrs, sst 131 b
Nativity, 3 yrs, 6st 121 b W. Goater.
Pancake, 3 yrs, sst 121 b

Lady Clare, 3 yrs, sst 91b
Sawcutter, 3 yrs, sst 91b..

East Sheen, 3 yrs, sst 91b
Mantrap, 3 yrs, sst 91b

Speculation on the race has not taken a very wide range,
and indeed up to the present time the betting on all the
Spring Handicaps has been limited to only a few horses.
The leading places in the list of quotations are now filled
by First Lord, Physician, Thunderbolt, Pancake, the Giraffe
filly, East Sheen, Sir William, Benbow, and the French
horse, Gabrielle d'Estrees.

Thunderbolt is a great striding horse, and ought to finish
well forward, but Ido not think he will quite win. Fizst
Lord and Benbow are both good horses, and the distance
will exactly suit them. Apollyon finished third for this race
last year, and if he comes to the post all right he ought to
finish forward. The next that strikes my attention is Mer-
rimac, 4 yrs, 7st Ilb. It was reported that the horse was
" gat at" for the Northamptonshire, and as the party to
whom he belongs seldom make any mistake I shall not be
against him. If he is backed on the day, I would recom-
mend those who wish to invest to follow suit. Tightfit is
a speedy animal, and should not be lost sight of in a lot
against the field. Dover has every appearance at present
of being a " dead ,'un," the most tempting offers against
him both in London and Manchester meeting with no
response. General Hesse will probably be the represen-
tative of Godding's stable, and his fine speed will render
the General a dangerous antagonist to the favourites.
Amongst the three-year. olds, the most formidable will be
found in Pancake, the Giraffe filly, Gabrielle d'Estrees,
East Sheen, and Rupert. Pancake has been highly tried
with Duneany and Tattoo, and as she is a smart, speedy
filly, her chance is entitled to respect. The Giraffe filly is
in superb condition, and if the Newmarket division have
made no mistake she ought to get a place. Gabrielle d'Es-
trees has satisfied the Frenchmen in a private spin, and
Pretendant is quite capable of telling them what chance
she possesses for the race under notice. East Sheen is a
big, powerful filly, exactly adapted to the Epsom course,
but as she runs untried, your readers must form their own
conclusions as to her merit, which I believe is far above
mediocrity. Rupert can do anything he likes with Furious
in private, and if supported in earnest by his clever party
his chance would be equal to anything in the race, as he is
not far removed from a first-class colt, when well. From
the large field that is certain to be at the post it is almost
impossible to select the absolute winner, but I hope in my
final selection to be as fortunate as in the Northampton-
shire Stakes. The three that I would give the preference
to are—

THE GIRAFFE FILLY, GABRIELLE D'ESTREES,

and BENBOW.

The Two Year Old Stakes, which has secured 38 nomi-
nations, includes the names of several first .class animals.
The best public performers are Estrelda and Bonnibelle,
and one of theta ought to furnish the winner.
In the Heathcote Plate I cannot find a better representa-
tive than Rockley, and the same remark applies to Von
Stroom for the Inkerman Plate.

On Friday will be decided the Metrorolitan Stakes, the
establishment of which by the licensed victuallers of London
some years ago first imparted an enduring vitality to the
meeting. This race is not likely to attract so large a field
as its younger and more popular rival, the City and
Suburban ; but, nevertheless, it NI ill not be regarded with
indifference. The betting on it has been extremely limited.
Danae and Betts are now the leading favourites, and
almost the only animals which the public seem inclined to
back.

Danae, after her easy victory at Northampton, has been
installed first favourite, but if the same game is to be
played at Epsom as was done at Northampton, the public
had better let Lord Coventry's mare alone. Half an hour
before the race, his lordship had fully made up his mind to
scratch the filly unless the parties who had got the money
about her allowed him to stand in. At this time as much
as 15 to .l could have been had about Danae, but an ar-
rangement having been effected, the mare in a few minutes
returned to the position of first favourite.
Betts will represent John Scott's stable, and will cause
the favourite some uneasiness. The French division have
a good horse in Pretendant. The race will be so affected
by the result of the City and Suburban that it is difficult
to form an opinion of the probable starters ; but if Lord
Coventry's party back DANAE in earnest she shall alone
do battle for me. In her absence I would retain BETTS.
The New Two Year Old Stakes has 33 subscribers.
Among the nominations are King of Hearts, Paradox, and
Bonnibelle, and I prefer them in the order named.
In the Walton Stakes Lord Stamford has Imaus And
King of Hearts. As the latter is engaged in the New
Two Year Old Stakes, his lordship may put his trust in
Imaus—the only one who may lower his colours being
Lady Clifden, who is fast_ regaining her two-year-old
form. A FRESH MAN
April 10, 1861.