The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-03 00:00:00

Huntsman's Laugh.. 10 12.....-11uIm7In J. Holman

Despatch, or VtlO 12 .
Clansman
Moose
Tusculhnum ...... 10 • 6... Private A. Goodman

Fan 10 6 .I'alnter Thorpe
. - - -

Captain Croastree ... 10 s...lteeves Reeves

Chimney Swoop is evidently the real " Simon Pure" of
Lord Coventry's stable, and, although he has to carry the
steadying weight of 12st, will assuredly, should he meet
with no mishap, finish amongst the first three. In fact,
from the easy manner in which he won at Croydon last
November, if I were satisfied that Daisy, Hall Court, The
Lamb, &c., were on their best behaviour that day, I should
think it quite unnecessary to look elsewhere for the win-
ner. As it is he is bound to knit the majority of the field
from the possession of two requisite qualifications -speed
and staying powers -in one or both of which a good many
of his opponents will be found deficient. Astrolabe is a
good mare, and would have a great chance with 71h. less
on her back. Lawrence, had ho been specially reserved
for this and not expased at Ealing and Reading, would
have been in with about lOst 71b, which might have enabled
him to win this rich prize. Alcibiado has the prestige of a
previous victory to recommend him, and I believe the
stable have a very high opinion of his chance on the pre-
sent occasion. He is not too heavily weighted, and ought
certainly to be kept on the right side. Daisy appears to
have created a wholesome dread amongst the owners of
the favourites, who, I have reason to believe, are fully
impressed with the, trouble which she is like to give
the best of thorn. Hall Court, though he may run
forward, has made too many unsuccessful attempts
to be likely to recompense his owner now. Benazet and
The Lamb both belong to Lord Poulett, and ono of
the pair will carry his lordship's colours conspicuously
in the van. The money market points unmistakeably
to Tho Lamb, who comes with a great reputation from
Ireland, and if he proves better than his stable companion
there can be no disputing the extraordinary chance he
must possess. For my own part I a►n disposed to give the
preference to Benazet, who was only beaten half a length
for the Grand Annual Steeplechaseat Birmingham by The
Nun, when giving the latter 111 b. Several of his per-
formances last year were equally meritorious, and as he
will be piloted by Mr. Edwards, I consider him a long way
the best outsider in the race. Garus will, it is said, carry
the Duke of Hamilton's colours, but after Shakespeare's
wretched display the other day I have no confidence in
any of Brown's lot. The Huntsman's Daughter will take
a conspicuous part in the race, but the best policy is to
back her and Daisy coupled, as it is very uncer-
tain which will turn out the best on the day.
Despatch and Clansman beloßg to Mr. E. Studd, and of
the pair I prefer the latter, whose best performance
was running fourth to Globule in the Grand Metropolitan
Steeplechase at Croydon in November, 1666. Ho was
then only four years old, and carried lOst 41b, being 41b.
more than he is handicapped at on the present occasion.
In that race ho met Astrolabe, aged, 12st ; Hornet, G yrs,
list 41b; Daisy, aged, list 21b; Reporter, aged, list; and
Garus, aged, lOst 41b. I have quoted the ages of those
animals at that period, which shows they were most likely
in their best form then, whilst ho may easily have im-
proved 211 b or 281 b. Moose is evidently selected to do
battle for Mr. Brayloy, who has backed him to win a very
heavy stake, and, if he makes no mistake in fencing, can-
not very well be beat. The party are satisfied he will
jump well, and there is no question on my mind of his
staying abilities. Should ho be lucky enough to steer
clear of all difficulties and succeed in landing on the
racecourse with the leading horses, even Chimney S weep
included, it is any odds on his galloping them
to a stand-still. Tasculanum is wonderfully well in,
and with Mr. A. Goodman up is sure to finish in the
front rank'. No horse in the race has been backed for
more genuine money than the animal in question, who is
well bred enough to win half a dozen Grand Nationals,
being by Stockwell out of Frenzy. Fan has been very
unsteady in the market, but I fully expect she will start
first favourite, and as she is a slashing fine mare, much
improved on her last year's form, her chance should bo
estimated as second to none. Captain Crosstree is a fair
class animal, and may finish in the front rank—still, I
think, he cannot win in this company. If I selected a
lot of six they would be Chimney Sweep, Daisy,
Benazet, Moose, Fan, and Clansman. In making a more
definite selection there is the usual chapter of accidents,
which usually ,beset the Steeplechase field, to contend
against. Should Mr. Brayley's horse steer clear of all
mishaps, I have great faith in predicting
MOOSE or FAN

to furnish the winner of this great event. Of the 38 nomi-
nations for the Sefton Handicap, AMOUR PROPRE
and KING OF THE FAIRIES are favourably weighted, and I
prefer them in the order named.
The principal event to be decided on Thursday is the
Liverpool Spring Cup, for which wo shall most likely see
at the post Blinkhoolie, Belmont, Christmas Carol,
Aggravator, Salamanca, Nu, and Adamant. After a
careful analysis of the handicap I see nothing to
prevent AGGRAVATOR or BLINEHOOLIE winning; whilst
CHRISTMAS CAROL seems most likely to get a situation. One
of Lord Westmorland's should have no difficulty in win-
ning the Welter Handicap, and the Steeplechase Handi-
cap will probably go to the Duke of Hamilton by the aid
of BEADLE or SULTAN.

A FRESH MAN.

LATEST SCRATCHINGS.

The following list of scratchings was received from
Messrs. Weatherby during the afternoon of yesterday :
Grand National Steeplechase—Sea King, Tennyson,
Jupiter, Northern Light, Purt Royal.
Salton Handicap--Hopleaf.
All Engagements at Liverpool—Excitement, Bertie,
Belzoni, Kato Kearney, Reporter, Surney, Corkscrew,
and hornet.

LATEST SORATCHINGS AT LIVERPOOL.
Trial Steeplechase—The Lamb, Lytham, Astrolabe.
Flying Stakes—Practitioner, Toy, Proctor, Monitor.
Mersey Cup—Weather Isle, Milton.
Spring Cup—Foresight, Weather Isle, Vixen gelding,
and Gipsy King