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The Maiden Plate, The Sweep won in three heats, in a field originally half-a-dozen in amount.

Tuesday mustered a far more goodly company than its predecessor— your handicap is the bait that kills. The racing opened with the Tyne Stakes for two years old, 13 named, whereof five went. England's Glory won by a length-this colt is by Clarion, or Emilius; row Emilius won the Derby in 1823. The Ladies' Plate, a quartet at the post, was won by Tommy Lye-on Pot Luck....... The Northumberland Plate, the issue which had drawn all this host together, as every body knows is a market handicap, on which popular traffic is wont to be lavish. It had 69 nominations, some dodges, some devilments, and was on the whole a very proper thing of its kind. Seven ran, with 5 to 4 on one-hight Elthiron-and he won. In a field of sixty-nine race horses, weighted by a person of knowledge and experience, with a view to place them all upon the scene at equal main and chance-such odds were startling under such circumstances for a favourite to win looks very like a miracle; but then the favourite belonged to the proprietor of a stud whose stable arrangements enable him to "do as he likes with his own. Lord Eglinton's Elthiron was a winner by a head--a brilliant finish-Roland second...... For the Queen's Plate two went-all manner of odds, from 3 to 7 to 1 on Legerdemain, who was beaten by half a length by Sweep.

Wednesday came in "heavily with clouds," and progressed similarly -with ennui. The North Derby was run a match between Michael Brunton and a colt by St. Martin, out of Rebecca; the former won eleverly by a length; the latter was backed at 2 to 1 on him. A Free Handicap of 10 sovs., with 50 added, 12 subscribers; Maid of Masham ran at 5 to 4 against her, and she won by half a length-miracles will never cease. There were five runners. First year of the Second Triennial Produce Stakes, 17 subscribers, run a match. Azeth, with 7 to 4 on him, waited till close at home, where he came, and in a beautiful struggle won by a head. The Corporation Plate, another match, Achyranthes won in two heats. The Aristocratic Welter Stakes Tommy Lye won in three heats, with Miss Lottery, and the list was run out. If Mr. Lye be the Newcastle idea of ponderous live lumber, I think we could astonish their northern notions with a south country sample of "welter," about as "aristocratie."

The Cup day maintains its Olympic prestige by "coaly Tyne;" it is there the racing holyday-as elsewhere. The skiey influences were especially favourable, and it was a characteristic finale to a national sporting gala. The Members' Plate opened the sport-four starters5 to 4 against Maid of Team Valley. The favourite was a clever winner by three lengths-" cruel coffee for the fielders "-haud meus hic sermo. Eleventh year of the Gateshead or Lottery Stakes, 15 subscribers. Four contested for this prize-Esculapius backed at even: however, he ran "boots," the winner being Mickleton. The Grand Stand Stakes, with 50 added, a dozen nominations, paraded a field of seven. A twoyear-old of Mr. H. Stebbings's, called The Cutler, won eleverly by a length, but the company was not a distinguished one. The Gold Cup Stakes, 10 sovs. each, p.p., and 50 added-the race of the day--was run a match between Canezou and Achyranthes-5 to 1 on the mare.

The filly made the running till close at home, when Holmes brought out Canezou, and won by a neck. The Lottery Handicap had four starters -even on Miss Lottery. However, she lost, in consequence of being last, and Valentine won, being first by half a length. There were three heats for the Innkeeper's Speculation Plate, which Pot-luck had the best of-and the curtain descended.

From this calendaric detail it is somewhat of a relief to turn to theory -and Stockbridge. I pass Macclesfield and Bibury without more mention than this allusion to their chronological position. True, Stockbridge and Bibury are identical as far as regards locality-but no farther......

"But I'm again at my old lunes, digression."

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A reference to the Derby betting in the last number of this work will instruct the curious, should they not have known it before, that during the month of June, Grecian was first favourite for that event, to occur in the year 1851. Well, it was understood this great creature would make his début at Stockbridge, in a certain chicken sweepstakes, whose venue was as aforesaid; and such was the fact. The Thursday's list contained two events the first a Produce Stakes, for which Deicoon, of Epsom memory, walked over and a Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for twoyear-olds, of which last Grecian formed an item. They laid 3 to 1 on him against the field of half-a-dozen-a moiety, however, being in John Day's stable. He won "in a common canter by three or four lengths.' So said the official returns, June 27th, 1850. Anon the comment will be read. Friday's running at Stockbridge demands a brief recapitulation. The second year of the First Triennial Stakes, 36 subscribers, brought out a trio, consisting of Compass, Cariboo, and Sweetheart. They laid 5 to 2 on Cariboo, and Compass beat him "cleverly by a length "I write by the book, that no offence may issue. The first year of the Second Stockbridge Triennial Stakes, 37 subs., had half-adozen runners. The odds were 9 to 2 on Payment, and this well-called young one kept the word of promise to the hope..." she won in a canter by a couple of lengths." A Sweepstakes, in heats, won by West Indian, and a match for £50, won by Athelstane, wound up the bill of fare.

Newmarket July Meeting fell on Tuesday the 2nd ult, and two following days. Its first feature was, that once again you made the modern Elis through that old familiar " Pike" which occupies the passage of the classic" Ditch." The Chesterford branch of the Eastern Counties Railway has perished for the lack of sap-want of "sap" has been the cardinal failing of the generality of lines, whether "trunks," or "branches." The posy of a London terminus is that of Dante's Purgatorio-voi che entrate lasciate ogni speranza. If you have doubts upon the subject, select the 5 P.M. express train of the South Western line, any Saturday in the season, and while your luggage is being deposited at the entrance to the first class department, call for the porter; observe, the porter, not a porter-do you conceive?...... The Middle Meeting, as the natives have it, is never very famous for sport; nevertheless it always possesses some interest, more or less :" this year it was "less." As it is wise to profit by occasion, the little fact there is to "note" may

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Is the saying

peradventure be made some amends for by "comment." sooth which declares that "coming events cast their shadows before"? Can it be that ill omens announce evil days at hand for Newmarket? In the return of the race for the July Stakes, it will be seen that the result of the first attempt was a dead heat between the Stockbridge flier and a filly of Sir Joseph Hawley's-" said to be moderate." Apropos of this surprise, the gentleman who writes the leading articles on the turf in a leading sporting paper thus speculates-"I don't of course pretend to say how much Grecian was affected by the difference of ground-his first essay having been upon his own dung-hill, viz., the soft ground of Stockbridge, where not a sheep is allowed to crop a blade of herbage, while on this occasion his feet had to rattle over the hard surface of the 'blasted heath.'".. What think ye of that, members of the Jockey Club, and the Stewards? What think ye, Messrs. Keepers of the Match Book, Judge, Starter, Clerk of the Scales, and Groom of the Course-" rattle over the blasted heath -an earthquake can't be far

off......

It was known at this time that John Scott had bought Clincherpeople said for Mr. Henry Hill. That, however, was contradicted; but that Clincher had been transferred to the great northern stable was a fait accompli. The attendance on the heath at the late hour at which the racing commenced was very limited, and almost wholly confined to proprietors of horses and "professional" gentlemen. The first event was a Handicap Sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, &c., &c.; New T.Y.C., 9 subs. Eight went, at 3 to 1 against Newport, 4 to 1 Wallflower, 4 to 1 Diligence, and 6 to 1 The White Lady. It was what a handicap is meant to be-a " rattling" (for the future the word must be tabooed at Newmarket) dashing finish, all of a ruck. Diligence first, a neck before Slang, who beat The White Lady by a head, who beat Wallflower by a length-and so forth. Next came The July Stakes. For this cream of two-year-old races there were 36 named, and of these five showed at the post. The betting out-Heroded anything within memory in reference to the question at issue. The odds, after many fluctuations, settled down at 3 to 1 on Grecian, 9 to 2 against the Venus filly-Sir Joseph Hawley's, and 100 to 7 against Phlegra. A filly of Mr. Rolt's, called Ingratitude, went off with the lead, presently giving way to the cracks, and now the race may be regarded as a match between these

Grecian led, making his own running up the rise, two lengths before the mare. Here, however, Templeman came-caught the horse down the fall, the pair closing the chair stride for stride-Alfred Day by dint of whalebone at the very last length contriving to make a dead heat of it, not without swerving against his antagonist. For the second heat they laid 11 to 8 on Grecian. Alfred Day now waited till they were within the ropes, then made his effort, and won cleverly by two lengths. A match having paid, the list was at an end. How far the day's work is likely to benefit the Derby favourite may be gathered from the following data, suggested by the gentleman whose views of the heath have already been given..... "As the old system is still persevered in, of allowing the heath to be cropped by sheep, so that the very roots of the scanty herbage are exposed, if not torn up, we need not be surprised that the burning rays of the late unclouded sunny weather have

baked the Flat, and even most other parts of the heath, as hard as a stone."......

Wednesday was the superlative of an off day. The dust smothered you; the dulness incited to suicide: the sport was a bad burlesque. The latter opened with a Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for three-yearolds, New T.Y.C., three subscribers (deductions included about a dozen pounds for the winner). Mr. Stephenson's "colt by Dromedary, dam by Mulatto, out of Lunacy," won. It would save much time and space to give this anonymous animal a designation which should come within a line of Long Primer. A Fifty Pounds Plate, for all ages above two years old "to start at the starting-post of the Two Middle Miles, and to run to the end of the Round Course, one mile, six furlongs, and 178 yards "there's a history of a course. A trio went for this, with 8 to 1 on jolly old Collingwood. He won. Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for two-year-olds; last half of Bunbury Mile, 5 subscribers. They all went, Harp the favourite, at 9 to 4 against her. She had the best of the spurt by a length, Lord Exeter's colt by Venison, out of Ratan's dam, second. The winner ran in Rogers's name, and was ridden by his son. The Town Plate of 50 sovs., "The Perram Donation," for three years old; last mile and a distance of the B.C. Lord Exeter's Preslaw won, beating a brace, whereof St. Fabian was the second, at 7 to 4 on him.

Thursday, to mend matters-and it did mend them was a regular dog-and-cat day, downright rain and no misunderstanding. The feature of course was the Chesterfield Stakes-may they long survive!—the memorial of a turf career, which if it could not command success, most certainly endeavoured to deserve it. The list began with a match for £200, 50 ft., across the Flat. Peasant Girl, 8st. 4lbs., and 6 to 4 on her, beat The Arab, 8st. 7lbs.-" easily by half a length." A Handicap Sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each, for all ages, two-year-olds excepted, New T.Y.C., 6 subscribers. The odds made The White Lady the fancy, at 5 to 2 against her, the others at various prices. For the course, it was a hollow affair, California winning by two lengths in a canter. The Chesterfield Stakes, with 43 subs., post varios casus, came off in a field of nine. As the rule is in most cases of the sort, a great many were "put in the hole," and a few into the "pot," to keep till they are wanted. The latest betting was 7 to 4 against Ariosto, 2 to 1 against Teddington, and 3 to 1 against Miserrima. The first of the running was of a miscellaneous character-the lot all of a ruck. Then Turtle made play, with both Ariosto and Teddington too close to be pleasant. At the ropes the tug of war began, of which Teddington had the best, beating Ariosto by a neck, Turtle and three or four others well up. There being no race for the Garden Stakes, this closed the Middle Meeting.

Carlisle, Tiverton, Lancaster, and Tenbury races also took place during the first week of July. They were good provincial merry-makings, but, in a sporting point of view, would have been much better had the system of heats been less closely adhered to. Leather Plating, under the most favourable circumstance, is far from a mirror of chivalry: with that devil's device, the heat "à discretion," it is a racing thimble-rig -"heads I win, tails you lose."

Liverpool July Meeting occupied the second week of the past month. It is not well placed, in a chronological point of view: as regards topography, it the ideal of turf perfection. Horses wanted for Goodwood in about a fortnight are not likely to show on the banks of the Mersey; but, then, that noble estuary is a highway from Erin and Scotia to the course of Aintree. On the occasion with which I am about to deal, the attendance, at all events, left nothing to be desired by those who have pleasure or profit in a crowd. In a sporting point of view, the meeting was a great fact; as regards business, the interest was limited to one event. On Wednesday, the 10th ult., the summer races commenced with the Croxteth Stakes, and a field of four. Strongbow, with 6 to 4 on him, won by six lengths; Alp second, not being "persevered" with, when it was of no use. The Nursery Stakes of 25 sovs. each, for two-year-olds, 16 subscribers, brought half a dozen to the post. The odds were 2 to 1 on Sir Joseph Hawley's filly, by Bay Middleton, out of Venus. This accounts for the other half score paying all forfeit, and taking the precaution of saving incidental expenses by remaining in the stable. It was a very easy victory, the favourite winning by a length, Knook Knoll second. First year of a Post Produce Sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, for foals of 1847, to run again in 1850, &c., &e., 6 subscribers; had a trio at the "post." They laid 5 to 4 on Hernandez; and Hernandez took the lead and kept it, and won, thereby showing that "they" were right. By this time the position of the "fielders" had become rather critical. Second year of a Post Produce Sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, for three-year-olds, 9 subscribers. This was run a match between Cranberry and The Italian, 6 to 4 on the latter. The favourite had all the first of the race to himself; but close to home he "shut up," or failed, and Cranberry past the "post" first by a head. The Bickerstaff Stakes of 100 sovs. each, h. ft., for three-yearolds, &c., &c., of the four nominations had but a pair "to the fore,' as Paddy says: these were The Jester and Witchcraft, 5 to 2 on the latter. But "they" were wrong, for the former won by three lengths, and the Ring was itself again. A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, with 50 added, for two-year-olds, induced three of the score named to try their luck. The Knight of the Garter was backed at 6 to 4 on him. He was last, however, Harpsicord winning, with Pirouette next him. A Plate of £50, for three-year-olds and upwards, was run for by four, 6 to 4 on Kennington. He won cleverly by a length. A Match for 200 sovs., h. ft., for two-year-olds, Lord Glasgow's colt, by Don John, out of Miss Whip, received, and the list was run out.

Thursday, the Cup anniversary, was a bumper-flowing over. The trains arrived at the course in rapid succession with their thousands, and the road poured in its multitudes. During the early morning Liverpool reminded you of Greenwich Fair. The concourse was immense. Business, however, was flat, and, as will presently be seen, "unprofitable" to the profession. Should Goodwood and Doncaster "follow suit" with Epsom and Liverpool, the "talents" will be hard set to find "a leg to stand upon." It was a glorious dusty afternoon when the fun began on Aintree, with a Free Handicap of 10 sovs. each, with 30 added, for three-year-olds and upwards, &e., &e., 14 subscribers. The field, like all its predecessors, was "short," but half a dozen

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