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inquisitive, in order that they may turn their speculations to a good account, leave no stone unturned to acquire even the smallest particle of information; while many others, contented by having it in their power to say, when the event is over, "I told you what would win,” seek for information simply as a subject for conversation, and to enable them, should they have predicted rightly, of boasting of their judgment.

A great majority on these occasions are strongly impressed with the idea that favourites will not win; there are now two before the public, boasting of nearly equal pretensions, an event hitherto unheard of in the annals of Derby doings. Indeed, if the betting is to be looked upon as a criterion, it would appear like a match between The Ugly Buck and Ratan. So closely have they been coupled together that as one has risen the other accompanies him, making a wide gap in the amount of odds laid between those two and the next in point of favouritism. Thus at the present period three to one only is laid against each of the cracks, and twenty, or in many cases twentyfive to one is obtainable about anything else. Those who are contented to reason calmly upon the various uncertainties attendant upon horse-racing will not be so very certain as to the result of one of the two winning the great race.

Public running is certainly the best criterion to judge from, and in that point of view three horses have nearly equal pretensions, Ratan, The Ugly Buck, and Loadstone; but from the position of the latter in the betting, some very unaccountable infatuation appears to exist. Report says that he has been amiss, no doubt with some truth; but those who are best informed know that he is quite recovered, and doing good work, and, next to the two favourites, he is unquestionably the best horse to stand upon; they are very bad judges who are against him if they do not hedge on the day.

Orlando and Vattel, since their running at Newmarket, have retrograded in estimation, although both of them were winners; the badness of their competitors may be assigned as one reason, and the badness of Orlando's action for a course like that at Epsom is a very cogent argument against his chance.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote's are fancied by some of the Epsomites, more because they have opportunities of seeing them at exercise than from any known merits which they possess. Scott, the hitherto invincible hero of the north, appears to be unusually weak in Derby horses; the exhibition made by Voltri at Newmarket, in the Craven meeting, having most completely sent him out of the betting; whilst Cockamaroo, Bay Momus, and the rest of his string, have only been backed for small amounts, and evidently not by those who are connected with the stable.

The force from country stables is but very moderate; Beaumont, The King of the Gipsies, Sir Isaac, cum multis aliis, may assist in swelling the lists and making a show on the day, but can have very little chance of remunerating their owners for the expenses of starting them.

NEWMARKET CRAVEN MEETING.

BY A "WANDERER."

There is a charm about Newmarket so fascinating to me that I can scarcely explain. 'Tis there we get our most delightful sport free from taint or ostentation-things so sickening to the real lover of the finest diversion in the world. Then again everything breathes of health and comfort, and the large strings of horses in the different establishments form a goodly sight to those who frequent the neat little town merely for pleasure. As regards "business," everything is done on the square system; namely, what you win or lose "to-day" must be "received or paid" on the "morrow;" this mode of settling accounts ought, in my opinion, to be enforced at all the principal provincial meetings. The meeting under notice, of late years, has been of more than " momentary moment," for it gives us a peep at the "Derby" and "Oaks," that is to say, many colts and fillies engaged in those important events strip and perform before their anxious backers. I am not prepared to state that the Craven Meeting just gathered to its fathers was superior in interest to some of its by-gone brethren, but every one must admit that it passed away most brilliantly. The weather was most agreeable, the company, if not numerous, highly respectable, and the running interesting and good. With the immense number of horses in training at Newmarket, I had reason to expect that larger fields would have met together at the starting posts; but, on inquiry, I learnt that most of the trainers were holding back for future engagements. A few of Ratan's

backers attended on Monday for the purpose of seeing him “out of his clothes," and returned in the evening to their respective homes with smiling countenances. With this preface I remain “ content," and shall at once proceed to make my report of the races, touching more fully on those likely to lead to the keys of the two important Epsom events. A new betting has been formed, which is very convenient to those who have not access to the "rooms;" upwards of one hundred noblemen and gentlemen enrolled their names on the course on Monday. Its exterior is extremely elegant, and a striking improvement to the appearance of the Jockey Club Rooms, which it immediately adjoins. The interior, which is fifty-three feet long, and more than eighteen feet wide, is most handsomely appointed. Racing calendars, newspapers, magazines, with pens, ink, and paper, are there ready for use, as at the " room" at Tattersall's. As a place of resort in the evenings, it will be found to combine every racing-man's comfort and interest.

MONDAY, April 8.-I do not intend to "put down" the bettings previous to my departure for the heath, but shall append them, with such remarks as I deem necessary, at the finish of each afternoon's sport; this will save time and space. The Craven Stakes, of course,

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"commenced the mischief" at this meeting; it is a very old sweepstakes of 10 sovereigns each, run across the flat, and, on the present occasion, had eight starters, their owners putting down 10 sovereigns each. Mr. Ford's colt by Ion, out of Mary Ann, 3 yrs. old, 6 st., made the running at a great pace; Voltri, 3 yrs. old, 6 st, lying second to the bushes, where he cried "peccavi!" and gave way to Čorranna, 5 yrs. old, 8 st. 13 lb.; St. Lawrence, aged, 9 st. 5 lb.; and Pineapple, 4 yrs. old, 8 st. 4 lb. On rising the hill the race evidently rested with the Ion colt and Corranna, the former looking so full of running that, "Ford wins! Ford wins!" was shouted from many mouths; Robinson, however, on Corranna, caught the youngster close upon the post and won, entirely by fine riding, by a head. St. Lawrence was a bad third. The betting was 3 to 1 against Corranna, 7 to 2 against St. Lawrence, and 7 to 1 against the Ion Colt.

A handicap sweepstakes, of 20 sovereigns each, followed; it was run over the ditch mile, and won by Lord Albemarle's The Brewer, 4 yrs. old, 8 st. 8 lbs., beating Mr. Ford's Ion Colt, 3 yrs. old, 6 st. 10 lb., and seven others of no consequence. Robinson was once more the fortunate jockey. The race was won by a length, and, I have no doubt, if Lawyer Ford had saved his colt for this sweepstakes, instead of running for the Craven-against superior horses-that his colour would have been in the ascendant in this handicap. The betting-men ventured as much as 6 to 1 against The Brewer, who proved himself stout. Another handicap of 25 sovereigns each, over the two-year-old course, was most easily won by Lord George Bentinck's African, 5 yrs. old, 7 st. 6 lbs.; beating the fleet Garry Owen, aged, 8 st. 12 lb.; Fraulein, 4 yrs. old, 7 st.; Currycomb, aged, 7 st. 1 lb.; and Cecil, 6 yrs. old, 6 st. 10 lb. African and Garry Owen had the race to themselves throughout, the Goodwood nag passing Judge Clark first, by a length, with nothing to spare. Mr. Clark placed all the horses in the order given above. A great deal of money was betted on this race, the final odds being 2 to 1 against African (taken), 3 to 1 against Garry Owen (taken), 7 to 2 against Fraulein, 4 to 1 against Currycomb, and 6 to 1 against Cecil. Canton, 4 yrs. old, 8 st.; and The Brewer, 4 yrs. old, 7 st. 3 lb., paid forfeit.

In a match for 100 sovereigns a side, Lord Maidstone's Larry M'Hale (Flatman) beat the Earl of Glasgow's Deerslayer, across the Flat. The betting was 2 to 1 on the winner, who went roaring along at a great pace and finished ten lengths a-head of his very humble follower. It would, even in these times, be difficult to find a worse pair than the above. It was a shame to put Robinson on such a brute as Deerslayer! Ratan now became the "observed of all observers." His engagement was in a P. P. sweepstakes of 50 sovereigns each-the Ditch Mile-and he won in the easiest manner conceivable. The field against him consisted of the following:Delapre, Crosby, Sir Diggory Diddle, colt by Clearwell out of Nininka, Escrick, The Blusterer, and Numskull. 5 to 2 was betted on Ratan, as long as takers could be "discovered," and the odds were in "favour of the opinion," for Sam Rogers won by a couple of lengths,

without using force or persuasion. Delapre (said to have been well tried) was second, and the others beaten off a considerable distance from home. Looking at Ratan's "outward and visible signs," I am at a loss to know what can beat him for the Derby.

A very well made and capitally contested match for 200 sovereigns a-side, was run over the Cambridgeshire Course, and won by the Earl of Stradbroke's splendid Evenus, 4 yrs. old, 8 st., beating Lord Miltown's Scalteen, 5 yrs., 8 st. 6 lb. The betting was 7 to 4 on Evenus, who was beautifully ridden by Flatman. George Edwards rode the loser in good style.

The Riddlesworth Stakes, whilom a race of immense importance, was walked over by Mr. Thornhill's Elemi; and the match between Espoir, 3 yrs., 9 st. 7 lbs., and the Canada filly, 2 yrs., 6 st. 7 lbs., Two-year-old Course, for 200 sovereigns a-side, was forfeited to Espoir.

Owing to Ratan's easy victory he became decidedly first favourite for the Derby, 4 to 1 being rarely obtainable. The Ugly Buck's friends, too, came out bravely, and at 9 to 2 would have gone on to a large amount. Such being the state of things, it is not to be wondered that the backers of other horses for this race were amazingly shy.

TUESDAY.-Before I quitted for the scene of sport, a portion of the Duke of Beaufort's racing stud was put up for sale by Messrs. Tattersall, but only four of them obtained purchasers. Some important business was done on the Chester Cup and Derby, without causing any particular change in the odds for either race. The Oaks, too, was upon the carpet, and, from the demonstration displayed, I have no hesitation in asserting that the Bee would have been backed heavily, at 9 and 10 to 1, if layers had been in the ring. Barricade, also, was frequently inquired after at 12 to 1. The opening race, of the day, was the long-lost "Oatlands." It was for 50 sovereigns each, h. ft., and was run across the Ditch In. Only three ran, and the Marquis of Exeter's Maria Diaz, 4 yrs., 6 st. 8 lb., nicely ridden by Pettit, won from Give-him-a-name, 6 yrs., 7 st. 5 lb., and the old I-am-not-aware, aged, 7st. 7 lb., won by a head only, with 7 to 6 on the Old-un.

The Tuesday's Riddlesworth came next, and clearly proved that it had taken the "birthright" from its elder brother. Out of an entry of thirteen, at 200 sovereigns each, h. ft., three were game enough to put in an appearance, viz., Col. Peel's Orlando, 8 st. 2 lbs., Mr. Watts' Baveno, 8 st. 2 lb., and Lord Exeter's Cloak, 8 st. 4 lbs. I need scarcely say that Orlando was the favourite, indeed the legs themselves laid 4 to 1 on him. Cloak, looking much the worse for wear, inade the best play she could till she was completely worn out; when Orlando took her place, was never afterwards approached, and won famously by a length. The pace was very good indeed, yet the "knowing ones" laid 25 to 1 against the winner immediately after his conquest. Flatman was the fortunate rider. Orlando must see 15 to 1 yet. A sweepstakes of 200 sovereigns each, h. ft., Ditch Mile, went into the coffers of that prime old English sportsman, Mr. Thornhill, through the instrumentality of his smart filly, Ex

ample, carrying 8 st. 3 lb., who won with extreme difficulty, by a head only, from the Earl of Stradbroke's The Boarding School Miss, 8 st., and Mr. Greville's Jamaica, 8 st. F. Butler jockeyed the winner, and won by a "short head." Jamaica was only a neck from The Boarding School Miss. Some people, no doubt over "knowing," laid 3 to 1 on The Boarding School Miss! Example ought not to be forgotten in the betting for the Oaks-mind that!

A match of great importance next came for public inspection; I mean the one between Lord George Bentinck's Bramble and Lord Maidstone's The Caster, both 4 years old, 8 st. 7 lb. each, for £60, 40 ft. The match, it seems, was made originally for a much larger sum, but reduced by mutual consent to the very moderate amount above-named. The distance was a teaser to the pair, but Bramble ran the Beacon Course the stoutest, and won by some score lengths, with the betting 5 to 2 on his behalf. Sam Rogers rode the winner, and Flatman the other. After this, Bramble was backed to a considerable amount for the Chester Cup, at 14 to 1, and if, as a sage (?) sporting writer states, "he can go fast enough, will win”!! Scott's horses, up to this moment, appeared sadly out of sorts.

A match concluded the performance; it was for 200 sovs. each, b. ft., Ditch Mile; and the Marquis of Exeter's Pergularia received forfeit from Mr. Greville's Molly Mogg, 8st. 7lb. each. In the course of the afternoon many enterprising bets were made on the Derby, at the following figures-7 to 2 against Ratan, 4 to 1 against The Ugly Buck, 22 to 1 against Cockamaroo, 26 to 1 against King of the Gipsies (strongly supported), 30 to 1 against Campanero (taken), 30 to 1 against Ionian, 33 to 1 against Orlando (taken), 33 to 1 against Bay Momus (taken freely), 33 to 1 against Mount Charles (taken), 50 to 1 against T'Auld Squire (taken), 50 to 1 against Apprentice (taken), 50 to 1 against Loadstone, and 50 to 1 against Bebington. Leander would have been backed at 26 to 1 to a good amount, but the bettors were uncommonly shy to have anything to do with a "five-year old !"

WEDNESDAY.-This day, which, in times of yore, was one of goodly consequence, now, like many others, has dwindled down to a mere shadow of what it was. I more particularly allude to the Column Stakes, which, before now, has "astonished the natives." This year, I am happy to state, that prize went into the pocket of one of our most distinguished and influential sporting noblemen-his Grace of Rutland -who won with his nice running filly Crenoline, at 8st. 4lb., over the Rowley Mile Course. There were seven starters; but the race was entirely between the winner and Mr. Osbaldeston's sister to Martingale, 8st. llb., and was won by not more than a head by W. Boyce on his grace's filly. F. Butler did all that man could do for "The Squire," and, although beaten, rode to perfection. The pace was very fast all the way, and the winner might be backed for the Oaks to advantage. In the betting ring, 5 to 4 was taken about "The Squire," and 7 to 2 about Crenoline. I have reported the "Column" first, because, usually, it has been the "lion" of the meeting. But there were, in truth, three "runs" before that event was decided; one of which was the Burghley Stakes, of 100 sovs. each, h. ft.,

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