The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-24 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

NOTIONS ABOUT NORTHAMPTON.

Ey leg;timate turfites to-morrow will be deemed the
"opening day" of the racing season. Those who are
not engaged in electioneering affairs, or those wh can
possibly snatch a couple cf days from the toils and
cares of business, will assist at the Meeting at Nor-
thampton, where a sufficiency of sport wi l be provided
to satisfy the most ardent lover of racing. Seven events
per diem will be decided, and for the majority of Them
the fields w ill Le large and the results of peculiar im-
portance ►with regard to corning events, whose "sha-
dows" will be cast tornewhlt plainly before on the course
at the cord wainer's city. My "ad vices" received; this
morning, from Northampton, are most satisfactory.
Several horses have alrea:ly arrived, and de: pile
the attraction of the Birmingham Stesplechives,
"sporting characters" may be seen lounging theiF time
away in the vicinity of " the George." The run►,iog
ground is i❑ ouiellent condition, and if the weather be
only fine, one of the most successful meetings ever hill
at Northampton will be.celabrated.

About fifteen runners will be brought out for the
Northamptonshire Stakes. Since the Doncaster meet-
ing St. Giles and Skirmisher have alternately bell the
"premiership," and at my present writing it is difficult t.
determine which has the largest and most influential
body of supporters. Despite St. Giles's somewhat
clumsy exhibition in the North, I am induced to Wiese,
that he is a horse of more than average merit, for not
only has he been heavily backed for this event; but
also for the Metropo:itan and Chester Cup. Still
from his size and. appearance I shall not be surprised to
see him perform better later in the season. Not that I
intend to desert him on this occasion, fur I have not so
high an opinion of Skirmisher to make me believe him
capable of giving 41as and beating St. Giles. *Lord
Zetland's horse, last year, displayed a " temper" which,
if retained by him, will slwa)s prevent my placing im-
plicit faith in his pretensions. Another cogent argument
against him, and one in favour of Adamas, is furnished
by the fact that he twice succumbed to Adamas last sea-
son, when Adamas was scarcely fit to run. Adamas too
showed so much io,pr ,vernent last year, that I am' com-
pelled to deem him worthy of the greatest trust,
especially as be seems to possess gameness
and is apparently built for staying. His race: with
Saunterer in the Chester Autumn Meeting would, in my
opinion, be alone sufficient to direct attention to his
chance. In all probability Ford ham will ride him, but
should that jockey be "claimed" for some other animal,
a light-weight equally clever will have the mount. Sir
Colin has been so knocked about in the market, that
whatever hie merit may be I am not disposed to trust
him, and I shall be as little surprised at his starting first
favourite as at his being ultimately scratched. Codring.
ton has a great advantage in the weights, and does not
require to be "half a gsod horse" to beat the three-yr•
olds. That be will run forward I fully expect, but that
he will beat the three leading favourites I do not believe.
Should Porto Rico have lost his soft heart and have re-
tained the "form" which he once unquestionably pos-
sessed a "form" which induced his then owner
and friends to indulge in sanguine expectations
of his carrying off the Two Thou:and and Derby, I
should not look for a more worthy champion than Porto
Rico, who, I fancy, wi'l yet recover somewhat the repu-
tation which he has lost, albeit like his illsfated brother,
Orinoco, he may prefer a mile to two miles. For old
acquaintance sake, and the remembrance which I retain
of the slashing race which he once ran with Kalipyge,
I shall not record my vote against Porto Rico. Of the
other high weights my preference is for Assager, albeit
he is popularly supposed to be only a "miler," but who
looks as strong as a little cart horse, and, for aught I
know to the contrary, may be as formidable over a
long course as over a short one. lam not for Lawn,
whose chance is a ferlorn one. This assertion is not made
for the sake of a disgraceful pun, but is justified by the
horse's bitter bad. running. Amati has been backed,
and is fancied by his party. Both South-Western and
the Elcot's dam colt will, however, keep him safe. The
farmer wi 1, to use a hackneyed phrase, "beat more than
beat him ;" and, after all, there may be more things
dreamt of in my philosophy than seeing Mr. E. R.
Clark's colours borne first past the post. On an imp tr.
tial consideration of the chances, however, I have arrived
at the conclusion that the most worthy animals to fill
the first three places are
ST. GILES, ADAMAS, and PORTO RICO.
For a conkboat I shall select Assayer.

Report states that a probability exists of M.D.'s being
being brought out for the Trial Stakes, and, should it
be correct, his performance will be regarded with much
interest by his Darby Laekers. Mr. Parr, however, may
be more inclined to play the Odd Trick.

For the Stand Rate the most noteworthy names are
Mary, Huntington, and Coal Black Rose.
Should no " legal accident " interfere with Gemma d i
Vergy's starting for the Whittlebnry, I shall let him re-
present my interest. The Nene Stakes I assign to
Tame Decr.

Tae Earl Spencer's P 1 de is the principal item upon
Thursday's list. Vaulter, Hospitality, and John Peel
have received good support for it, and the first men.
tioned, according to his running at Salisbury, is certainly
entitled to the confidence placed in him. I, however,
am inclined to give my adherence to Little Gerard,
Mabel, and John Peel.

The Happy Land will doubtless follow up his Salis-
bury successes by winning the Althorp Park Stakes.
For the Cup my fancy points to Apathy and Poodle. I
am at presrnt inclined to cast in my net with Fisherman
for the St. Liz Handicap. Stormsail may carry me
safely through for the Delapre.
March 24. A FRESH MAN.