The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-10 00:00:00

SPORTING NOTES.

Mr John Sheldon has issued a most flattering pro-
gramme of Birmingham Steeplechases, which take place on
Tuesday and Wednesday next, and from the number and
quality of the animals engaged some capital sport may be
anticipated. No doubt there will be an unusual eagerness
on both sides, from the long truce which has of necessity
prevailed between backers and layers, to speculate, and
my anxious desire is to give your readers such informa-
tion as will enable them to draw " first blood."

Five races are set down for decision on the first and six
on the second day. The Erdington Plate is the principal
event.to be decided on Tuesday, and has forty-two horses
handicapped for it. I have no fancy for the three top
weights, CombertOn, Plyfisher, and Gameboy ; but the
next on the list, Sir William, list. 81b., who won this race
last year in a canter, with only 6th. less on his back, is by
no means out of it ; nor are Steamboat, llst.; and Moose,
lOst. 101 b., at all badly handicapped, Greenland will pro-
bably be reserved for the Grand Annual next day, but he
is not a flyer. Corkscrew met with en accident at Car-
marthen, and ho is therefore a doubtful starter; but under
any circumstances liranamyEn, 10st. 61b., and IMoGENE,
lOst. 41b., ought to furnish the winner. If the Hunt Cup
should be considered worth the attention of his owner.
THE GUIDE is good enough to beat the lot engaged in it.
The Hunters' Plate I know nothing about; and as regards
the Sutton Handicap Plate LA PIQUE and ACE or HEARTS
will most likely run first and second.

The clerk of the course may justly be congratulated on
the success of his efforts in the apportionment of weight
for the Grand Annual Steeplechase, as it is no little com-
pliment to obtain "content" from thirty-four out of sixty-
six nominations; indeed there does not appear a single
one of those remaining in which has not a fair chance of
winning. At the same time, without going into an ela-
borate analysis, I feel persuaded that Benazet, list 121 b,
will boat all the top weights down to The Doctor, list
51b. The latter, if well at the post, is ono of the most
dangerous competitors engaged, but it is no use backing
him unless the party to whom he b3longs have got their
money on, otherwise it is sure to be a repetition of the
Croydon policy over again. Albrighton carries list 21b,
as he has incurred a penalty of 141 b for winning twice at
Carmarthen ; still the form he displayed there must give
him a chance second to none, and of course he will have
the assistance of Walter White, who is quite at home over
this country. I question if Tally-ho is quite good enough
in this company, besides which he has the worst of the
weights, having to give King Arthur 21b for the short dis-
tanco (a neck) he beat the latter in the Grand Metropolitan
Steeplechase at Croydon ; and although he defeated them
some little distance, Greenland, who ran fifth in that race,
meets him here on 51b, and Knave of Trumps (sixth) on
101 b, better terms. Such animals as Archimedes, Moose,
Pearl Diver, and Musketeer have no attraction for me un-
til they have had more experience in jumping, as all or
any of them are likely to come to grief if called upon to
negotiate the obstacles which will come in their road over
this country. In the same category I should also place that
useful half-bred mare The Nun, lOst 121 b, who is best
able to take her own part in Hunters' Stakes over the
Flat. The only other animal which it seems to me neces-
sary to allude to is Highflyer, lOst 71b, and should he be
reserved for this event he will certainly make every thing
gallop to win. I have a decided preference for BE NA Z ET,
and next to him Aranuctirron is my recommendation. It
is ot course very uncertain what will run for the Craven
Cup, and in the absence of Benazet and Flyfisher, I have
a good deal of faith in SPRITE. The Licensed Victuallers'
Plate has a lot of horses engaged, of which I have most
fancy for ACE or TRUMPS, but too much depends on pre-
vious running to prevent me saying any more about it.
A good deal of money has been invested on the Lin-
colnshire Handicttp during the past week, and at the time
of writing The Czar and Cauthloon are evidently backed
for good money. The former is a fair performer and re-
markably well in, but I have not yet heard of his
arrival in England. As regards the latter, who is by
Trumpeter, and a good-looking mare, she has hitherto
performed very indifferently ; still, if the stable money
should be on, she will bo very near winning. There is
always a large field. foi this handicap, which commences
the season, and in a few days it is not unlikely a great re-
volution may bo made in the betting. Lord Westmorland
has four or five engaged, and from other stables some de-
monstration is to be expected. The best policy under the
circumstances is to "wait a little longer," as there are
sundry animals at present amongst the outside division by
no means without a good chance.

A FRESH MAN.

SADLER v. SMITH.

We understand that this celebrated aquatic trial, the
cause of which originated in the late match for the
Championship between Kelley and Sadler, is likely to take
place about the 23d inst., before Lord Chief Justice Cock-
burn, at Guildhall. The next term commences on the 15th
inst., and the trial in question is the twentytsixth on the
list of special jury cases. Respecting the jury summoned
it is to be expected they will all be city merchants or
tradesmen, and consequently not likely to be biased one
way or the other, unless it be from the ruling of the judge
who has to decide the case. The counsel for the plaintiff
are said to be Mr. Hawkins, Q.C., Mr. Henry James, and
Mr. Brickwood ; and for the defendant, Sergeant Ballan-
tine, Mr. Garth, Q.C., and Mr. Emerson Tennant. The
trial is likely to last at least two days, as some forty wit-
nesses have to be examined.