the powder, and off sprang the prads in spite of the ribbons, and crash went the vehicle, scattering its contents in every direction. Mr. Kenyon was the only one seriously injured, and lay for hours insensible: happily, however, he is now fast recovering, though it will be long ere he forgets the purl. Now Mr. K. is his own charioteer, and very steadily, after the olden fashion, does he the duties of the bench: no skill or foresight in this instance could have avoided the mishap. On the box was also seated a Gentleman whom every Etonian will know when I write Long Bob Burton of the Dreadnought. He will pardon I know the liberty thus taken, for, as an Etonian, he is generous and forgiving, and long may it be ere he has such another spin is my prayer! After exordium turn we to business, as old Muscatel the grocer would say to his lads after their spree at Epping on an Easter Monday; and we'll begin with The Trial Stakes of 15 sovs. each, with 50 added by the Stand Committee; once round; seven subs.-For this seven of high degree came forth to compete, viz. : Sir T. Stanley's Apothecary, 4 yrs, 8st. 6lb. (Templeman) Mr. Critchley's bl. c. Dunstan, 3 yrs, 6st. 4lb. 1 .............. 2 Not placed-Lord Westminster's ch. c. Sir Ralph, 5 yrs, 9st. 2lb.; Lord Miltown's b. f. Medea, 3 yrs, 6st. 1lb.; Lord Stanley's ch. f. Rodanthe, 3 yrs, 6st. 1b.; and Lord Eglinton's b. g. The Potentate, aged, 9st. 6fb. After one faint, off sprang Miss Rodanthe, leading her companions for a short distance, when, from some cause unknown to every spectator, she turned sulky, and, like all sullen ones, lost much in the race by the vagary, inasmuch as father Quid, without apologising, took her position, having Potentate at his haunches, the others maybe a stride from each other. Thus ran they all till nearing the distance, when Apothecary with Dunstan crept to the front. The son of Galen now, thinking peradventure he had administered a sufficient sweating draught to his patients, left them in the lurch, winning by something like a neck. I certainly thought, had Rodanthe not given herself airs, her chance was not a slight one for the gold; but ladies will be fickle, and even jockeys at all moments cannot control their whims. Odds: 5 to 4 agst Potentate, 3 to 2 agst Quid, 6 to 1 each agst Rodanthe and Apothecary, 8 to 1 agst Sir Ralph, and 10 to 1 agst Medea. For the Produce Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft.; colts, 8st. 4lb., and fillies, 8st.; two miles; eight subs. ; five came to the scratch :Sir T. Stanley's ch. c. by Battledore, dam Blue Bell (Templeman) ... 1 Lord Westminster's br. c. Secander, by Sir John out of Medina ...... 2 Not placed:-Mr. Price's b. or br. f. Maid of Maelor, by Pantaloon or Tulip; Sir R. Bulkeley's ch. f. Jenny Jones, by Birdcatcher, dam Mrs. Suggs; and Lord Westminster's br. f. Daphne, by Laurel, dam Maid of Honor. Holmes on Secander piloted the way, the Pantaloon lady at his side, Jenny Jones, Daphne, and son of Battledore last. In this form they journeyed once round at rather a sharp bat, too much for Miss Maelor, who cried enough," and the Blue Bell younker stepped into her place, kept his position till the distance, where he headed Secander, running home an easy victor, shewing the truth of the adage, "the last shall be first."-Betting: 2 to 1 each agst Secander and winner, and 4 to 1 agst Jenny Jones. Oh! oh! Babel is now let loose the mighty struggle is at hand. The laurel which has been the theme of every Turfman for months past is to be gathered; breathless anxiety is on the brow of all; pockets are to be replenished or ungarnished; hopes deferred are to be unriddled; and the prophetic visions of many a wiseacre are to be tested; for "Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate." The Tradesmen's Plate of 200 sovs., added to a Sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, 10 ft., and only 5 if declared by 1st of Feb.; to start from Castle Pole, run twice round, and finish at coming-in Chair; the second horse to receive 25 sovs.; winner to subscribe for coming year; fortysix subs.: eleven declared, and 10 sovs. each paid by fifteen others.Hie ye then to the banquet, ye true Sons of Eclipse. Colonel Peel's br. c. The Dey of Algiers, 4 yrs, 7st. 10lb. (Nat).. 1 .... 2 After a little curvetting and capering, "Go" was the word, and a finer start never was seen, the winner pointing his head straight, with My Lady Bellona close at hand, Tubalcain and Cowboy lying well up, the others astern, with the Augustus colt as helmsman. I should say, for a mile and a quarter no change was had in position; then, however, Cowboy, Lanercost, and Melbourne went to the forward ruck, and spinning was the order of things in right earnest: here several of the fliers drooped astern, bellows to mend operating pretty considerably. Those that lived the pace held well to the distance. At this point Nat was obliged to look sharp for his throne, as the Minister ran to his head, and touch and go was it for the laurel, but the King was not to be dethroned, although scarce half a neck crowned him conqueror. I fain would prophesy that if Melbourne had not fallen lame, the race must have been his; at all events it would have been slashing competition, for Melbourne, like his Noble namesake, is game as a pebble, and honest withal, whenever called on.-Odds: 3 to 1 agst Cowboy, 7 to 1 agst Lanercost, 7 to 1 agst Gilbert Gurney, 7 to 1 agst Bellona, 10 to 1 agst Cruiskeen, 12 to 1 agst King Cole, 100 to 8 agst the winner, 20 to 1 agst Melbourne, 20 to 1 agst Pops, 20 to 1 agst The Dean, 25 to 1 agst George, and 25 to 1 agst Tubalcain. Thus settled was the enigma, and every prophet who came not from the East must have dropped the ready, with this conviction at least, they had had as honest a race for their hopes as ever eye witnessed. Such a beautiful run old Chester has not had for many a Meeting-quick, strong, and decisive racing, good in every point, whereby nothing but a clipper could live to the finish. The knowing ones must have been hard hit, as Cowboy and Lanercost were their favorites for past months, and the winner little patronised. 1 A Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, with 50 added by the Stand Committee, for horses who never won before the day of entry for the Plates; heats, two miles; eight subs. 2 Mr. Mostyn's ch. c. Bedelian, by Revolution out of L'Hirondelle, 3 yrs, 7st. (Francis)...... 1 1 Sir T. Stanley's gr. g. Marmaduke, 4 yrs, 8st. Mr. P. Green's b. f. Sister to Ballochmyle, 3 yrs, 6st. 11fb. ................ 3 .... 2 dr. .......... 3 dr. dis. .................. Bedelian jumped off, with Annulet close beside, the others well together in this order they ran home, the filly never being able to collar Bedelian. In the second heat, Bedelian again took the lead at a sharp stride; Nightshade endeavored in right earnest to benight the winner, but notwithstanding his good intentions, Revolution found sight enough to win the siller easily.-Odds: 2 to 1 on Marmaduke, and 5 to 2 on Annulet. Thus ended the day's diversion, to the satisfaction of every one present always excepting the losers. Tuesday. Her Majesty's Plate of 100 sovs.; three times round, above three miles.-This brought to the scratch four goodly ones of the right sort for strife: Lord Eglinton's b. g. The Potentate, aged, 10st. 5lb. (Lye) Mr. Collins's gr. g. Isaac, aged, 10st. 5lb...... 1 2 Not placed:-Mr. W. Walters's b. h. Goldhurst, 6 yrs, 10st. 5lb.; and Mr. Barrow's br. m. Catherina, aged, 10st. 5lb. There was no idle nonsense with the lot, but to it they instantly went, Goldhurst leading, Isaac and the other two well forward at the Castle Pole; after passing which Isaac slipped into strong running, yet not quick enough for The Potentate, who came away a most easy first to the goal. I cherished the hope to have seen honest old Catherina add one more wreath to her well and hard-earned conquests: the heart was still game as in days of yore, but work and age had put the extinguisher on her.-Odds: 5 to 4 agst Isaac, 6 to 5 agst The Potentate, 5 to 1 agst Catherina, and 6 to 1 agst Goldhurst. A Sweepstakes of 25 sovs. each for two-year olds: colts, 8st. 5lb.; fillies, 8st. 2lb.; eight subs.-Five younkers stepped forth-a very pretty lot indeed. Mr. F. R. Buckley's b. c. Tory-boy, by Tomboy out of Bessy Bedlam (Whitehouse) ........... 1 2 Not placed:-Lord Westminster's b. c. Dr. Jenner, by Ishmael out of Miss Giles; Sir R. Buckley's b. f. by Birdcatcher, dam by Caccia Piatti; and Mr. T. Walters's bl. c. St. Botolph, by Sheet Anchor. Twice they essayed to go; the third, away away rushed the young-'uns, the Tory lying about four lengths in advance, the Velocipede daughter second, the others near at hand. After the first quarter of a mile Dr. Jenner's chance left him, he making the rear-guard. Neale now brought forward Miss Tatt, and endeavored to collar the winner: the Tory, however, had not gallantry enough in him to be fascinated by the good intentions of his fair companion, but ran in an easy first. In fact nothing in the scurry had a chance with the winner.-Betting: 5 to 4 on Tory-boy, 5 to 2 agst Miss Tatt, 4 to 1 agst Dr. Jenner, and 4 to 1 agst St. Botoiph. Sixty Guineas, the gift of the City Members, for three and fouryear-olds; heats, once round and a distance. Lord Eglinton's br. c. Malvolio, 4 yrs, 8st. 6fb. (Lye).. Mr. Allen's b, c. Quid, 4 yrs, 8st. 6lb........... 1 1 1 - 2 1 - dr. 2 ....... 2 dr. 2 dr. For the first heat My Lord Stanley's sprang to the front, Tubalcain being in close alliance, the others holding well to the Castle Pole, when Louisa died away, Malvolio at the distance following her example. From the latter point the three others made a head and head struggle, and Quid, by dint of whipcord, gave his head to the Judge first, making a sweet pretty finish.-Two only, Fair Louisa and Tubalcain, competed for the second heat, and merrily went it from end to end, the horse being first at the finale by a stride.-At the third show, Quid rattled away, leading to opposite side of course, where Tubalcain went a-head, holding it only to the Castle Pole; Lye then gave head to his steed, and landed him an easy winner.-Last heat: Tubalcain and the winner set to; the former, having had gruel enough, footed it in no Eclipse style, until Malvolio got weary of waiting on him, put the steam on, winning cleverly a very hard-earned reward. Wednesday. For a Free Handicap Stakes of 20 sovs. each, h. ft.; once round and a distance; three subs., Mr. E. Peel's gr. g. Saul had a walk over, by way of airing. The Dee Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for three-year-olds; Derby weights; to start at the Castle Pole, go once round, and finish at the coming-in Chair; eight subs. Lord Westminster's br. c. The Shah, by Abbas Mirza out of Laura (Holmes).... 1 Lord Stanley's ro. c. De Clifford, by Recovery out of Baroness ....... ...... 3 Darling led the dance on Trustee, having the winner at his saddlegirtha, and De Clifford astern. The latter, after running better than half a mile, dashed up to the winner, and journeyed with him to the Castle Turn, when Holmes shook his horse, and went in an easy winner at last. The knowing ones were out in their calculations on this race, De Clifford standing at the start 5 to 4 on him; 15 to 10 agst the winner, and 20 to 5 agst Trustee. The Stand Cup, value 100 sovs., given by the Stand Committee, ndded to Sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each, h. ft.; weight for age; twice round and a distance; six subs., half of whom declared. Sir T. Stanley's ch. c. Rabbitcatcher, 3 yrs, 6st. 10lb. (W. Lund)...... 1 2 ........ 3 This was a very slow affair altogether, Lady Abbess piloting to the Castle Pole, where an appearance of speed was evinced; the winner then took first place, and won a very indifferent race.-Odds: 10 to 8 agst the winner, 6 to 5 agst Lady Abbess, and 24 to 1 agst Shark. Thursday. The Marquis of Westminster's Plate, value 100 sovs., added to a Sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, h. ft., four subs., Lord Eglinton's Shark, by Priam (Campbell), comfortably pocketed by a canter over. The Beeston Castle Stakes of 10 sovs. each, with 50 added by the Cheshire Gentlemen and Principality; a mile and a half; nine subs. Lord Stanley's ch. f. Rhodanthe, by Velocipede, 3 yrs, 6st. 12fb. (Stag), 1 Mr. Price's br. g. Captain Pops, 5 yrs, 8st. 9fb.... 2 ....... 3 Not placed:-Mr. E. Feel's gr. h. Saul, 5 yrs, 9st.; Lord Eglinton's ch. m. Opera, 5 yrs, 8st. 2lb.; Mr. W. Walters's b. h. Goldhurst, 6 yrs, 7st. 5lb.; Lord Miltown's b. c. Wirrestrew, 4 yrs, 7st. 4lb.; and Mr. Thompson's b. f. Miss Fitz, by Fitzdictor, 3 yrs, 6st. The dance was led off by Opera to the Stand, Goldhurst then taking the Field to the distance. Stag, who steadily rode the winner, sprang to the front, having the race all to himself, and coming in an easy victor. This scurry convinced me in my former opinion, that Rhodanthe, when minded, can go no mean pace, for the latter part of the race tailed off the ruck sadly.-Odds: 6 to 4 agst Opera, 5 to 1 agst Malvolio, 3 to 1 agst Pops, 4 to 1 agst Saul, 5 to 1 agst the winner, and 10 to 1 agst Wirrestrew. The Selling Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with 30 added by the Citizens; the winner to be sold for 100 sovs, if demanded, &c.; Grosvenor Course; five subs. Lord Eglinton's ch. f. Annulet, 3 yrs, 6st. 7lb. (Lye) Sir T. Stanley's b. g. Barboni, 5 yrs, 8st. 9lb........... ........... 2 Not placed :-Mr. F. R. Price's br. f. The Rose of Maelor, 3 yrs, 6st. 71b.; and Mr. Collet's b. f. Tivy, 4 yrs, 8st. 2lb. Lye took the winner at a spanking rate to the distance; Templeman on Barboni ran up to her, and made an interesting run home, with not more than half a neck to spare: the others nowhere.-Odds: 5 to 4 agst Tivy, 10 to 3 agst The Rose, 2 to 1 agst Barboni, and 3 to 1 agst Annulet. One Hundred Pounds in specie, the gift of the Proprietors of the Secondary Stand, added to a Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, weight for age, &c.; second horse to save his Stake; heats, once round and a distance; seven subs. Lord Eglinton's b. g. The Potentate, aged, 9st. 2lb. (Lye) .... 1 ................... dr. Little comment need be made on this race, as the winner took the lead, and was neither pushed nor headed to the winning Chair. Friday. The Palatine Stakes of 50 sovs. each, h. ft., for threeyear-olds colts, 8st. 71b.; fillies, 8st. 2lb.; to start at the Castle Pole, once round, and finish at the coming-in Chair; six subs. Lord Westminster's br. c. The Shah, by Abbas Mirza out of Laura (Holmes)... 1 ......... Mr. F. R. Price's ch. c. Tuly, by The Tulip out of Zara, allowed 5lb. ......... 2 3 4 Bushranger ganged along for a while kindly; at length a roving mania came over him, and into the country among bushes was Master Templeman (his steersman) taken. Holmes instantly brought the Persian into swing, and won without whipcord. Bushranger would from his form, I think, have told in the race had not the roving fit come over him.-Odds: 25 to 10 on The Shah, 3 to 1 agst Bushranger, and 4 to 1 agst the Physician colt. |