The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-04 00:00:00

THE CHESTER MEETING.

Few people are surprised by the recent changes in
the betting on the Derby. The running for the Two
Thousand would, it was naturally expected, turn the
current of epeculation, albeit it has not diverted it
into widely diffused channehi. They who relied on the
judgment of George-Abdale and the Yorkshiremen, and
adhered steadily to the " spots," had no cause to regret
the confidence which they placed in the " lame-un."
Vedette, despite his limping gait, or rather what has
been called his " dot-and-go-one" style of walking, seems
every inch a race-horse, built all over for staying, and
with a free, low, sweeping action. ,It is said that he is
7 lbs. better than Skirmisher; and if this report be true,
the Days of Danebury have good grounds for maintain-
ing undiminished confidence in Anton. " Mr. F. Ro-
binson's" horseperformed in a manner which fully justified
the high estimate placed in his ability. He is a nice corky
goer, and will go bounding roundTattenham corner like a
cricket ball. The dislike which I expressed about Loyola
was telly warranted not only-by the horse's appearance,
but also by his performance ; still, I shall not- be sur-
prised to see either him or the Beeswax colt a tremendous
favourite for the Derby before the day. Sydney proved
"kind," and left the post without reluctance. Still, al.
though he got only an indiffe'rent fourth, his running im-
'proved his tineition in the Derby betting. I must confess

I am at a loss to discover consistency in the proceedings
which nearly sent him out of the Two Thousand betting,
and which have now made him a prominent favourite for
the Derby. Sydney is a beautiful goer, with great pro-
pelling power, and the assertion of his admirers that he
will be able to " act" with considerable effect over the
Derby course may not prove an idle boast. Kent was
defeated and disgraced, and we are not likely to hear of
him again for some time.
The incident of the week was perhaps the running of
Blink Bonny for the One Thousand, and her subsequent
disappearance from amongst the favourites for the
Derby. If a mare ever possessed two styles of going
Blink Bonny does, for she seems to have one sort of ac
tion whilst at exercise, and another whilst racing. Of a
morning she galloped free and well, but on Thursday
afternoon she went short and stumpy. It remains to be
seen whether, like Mary Copp and other mares, Blink
Bonny has lost her two year old form.
‘I confess that I
am prepared to see her brought again with force into
the betting. Should she be sent to Chester for the Dee,
and should she win, what a commotion would be occa-
sioned I

The quaint old rows of Chester are already echoing to
the tramp of the many footed multitude, and by night
fall the ancient city wilt be choke full of visitors. A
programme bristling with figures is before me, and it
presents a prospect of sport worthy of the palmiest and
most popular days of the Rodee Revels. Despite the
abuse which has been heaped upon the Handicap for
the Chester Cup, and despite the limited range of specu-
lation, a race of extraordinary interest is likely to be
afforded, whilst the minor events will attract more than
a usual amount of attention.

Six events are appointed for to-morrow (Tuesday), in-
cluding two unclosed stakes. Zaidee and Bel Esperanza
are the most noteworthy nominations for the Palatine
Stakes, and should the former retain her Ascot and
Reading form I shalt expect her to pull through.

The Ma Mie colt and Janet seem to me the most
attractive names amongst the entries for the Chester-
field Handicap. For the Wynnstay I shall select Mys-
terious Jack and Sir Humphrey. The Mostyn Stakes
will be carried off by either the Speedwell colt or Melita.
My dip into the Chester Cup is made with consider-
able diffidence and caution. I shall not weary the
reader with a long recapitulation of the performances of
the horses likely to comprise the field, or bore them with
an elaborate discussion of merits and demerits. About
six-and-twenty horses will go to the post, a crowd of
competitors large enough, it must be confessed, to.ren-
der success more a matter of chance than ability. Lea-
mington and Mincepie have retained their relative posi-
tions with wonderful steadiness in the betting, and their
respective parties seem equally sanguine of success.
For Leamington, however, I have no decided partiality.
I am sceptical about his staying powers, but
I must nevertheless confess that his light weight
is sufficient to render him formidable. Of the two
favourites, however, I have no hesitation in select-
ing Mincepie. Dulcamara has been again brought
with some force into the betting, and he will be a most
dangerous antagonist. Before the Epsom Spring Meet_
ing he was most highly tried, and I am, therefore, in-
duced to regard his running for the Melrop as a mistake.
William Day, when in earnest, is not the man to be
opposed, and I am informed that he is as confident
about winning the Cup with Dulcamara as he was last
year with One Act. Gemma di Vergy is over-weighted,
and his recent running with Lord Nelson has almost
induced me to believe he cannot stay. Of the other
three-yrs-olds, Turbit is most to my fancy, and I shall
be much disappointed if he do not beat the highly
vaunted Riseber, and, in fact, every animal of his year
except Dulcamara. Every turfite would be delighted to
witness the triumph of Lord Exeter's colours
on the Roodee. Van Dunck is. likely to prove
another Mortimer to Mr. T. Parr. The horse
is turned loose, and I shall not be against him.
He certainly has not yet accomplished anything that
would entitle him to take more than a leather-flapping
.degree. But the same was said with justice of Malacca,
Mortimer, Weathergage, and others with which Mr. T.
Parr has astonished the sporting world. Pole-Star and
Pretty Boy are the only top weights to my fancy. The
horses which I shall select against the field are MINCE-
PIE, DULCABIARA, and TUREIT.
Some uncertainty exists at present relative to the nu-
merical strength of the field for the Dee Stakes. In
certain quarters it is even hinted that Blink Bonny may
be brought out for it, and that ehe may re-establish the
reputation which she knocked down at Newmarket.
Tournament is also amongst the nominations, and great
would be the interest excited if he were to enter the
lists. At present, however, I am inclined to look to
Loyola and Commotion for the winner. For the Mar-
quis of Westminster's Plate, I shall "stand" Mary,
Alembic, and Wardermarske. To Friday's racing, I
shall not at present refer.

A FRESH MAN.

May 4.

TATTERSALL'S-SATURDAY .
CHESTER CUP.

6to 1 agst Leamington (take 100 to 15)
9to 1 aget Dulcamara (taken)
12 to 1 agst Mincepie (taken and offered)
100 to 8 agst Riceber (offered)
15 to 1 agst Van Dunck (taken)
100 to 6 agst Gemma di Vergy (taken)
100 to 6 agst Turbit (taken)
22 to 1 agst Bay Hilton (taken and offered)
25 to 1 agst Zig Zag (taken)
33 to 1 agst Janet (offered)
33 to 1 aget Pantomime (taken)
40 to 1 agst Early Bird (taken)