BY UNCLE TOBY,

THE importance now attached to this highly interesting race, renders it quite unnecessary to apologize for offering a few observations on the weights and other matters connected with this sporting handicap. The original entry consisted of sixty-four subscribers at 25 sovs. each, 15 ft., and 5 only if declared by a certain time. The weights were fixed, and the following thirty-eight accepted on the 1st of February.

Scott's lot originally consisted of thirteen, of which number eight accepted, a pretty handsome compliment to the handicappers. Llanercost, at 9st. 9lb., is at this moment the favourite at only 8 to 1 against him a position in the odds which his running, respectable as it may have been, certainly does not justify. At four years old he was handicapped at precisely the same weight, against rather a moderate field; ran very wretchedly, and was not even in the second ruck at the finish. I will ask any one to analize the performances of Llanercost carefully, and then to give his opinion of the horse's chance for the Chester Cup, 1842? I am by no means disposed to run my head against the opinion of many sound judges of racing, several of whom consider Llanercost to have been the best horse of his day; but let me call my reader's attention to the fact that Llanercost never won any prize, worthy the name of a great race, in which he was made to give weight away. Taking his running from 1838, when he ran a very middling third to Don John for the St. Leger, to his last appearance at Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he ran third and last to Bee's-wing and Calypso, at regular racing weights, and his intervening races will be found to consist almost entirely of Gold Cups and Queen's Plates, as the Racing Calendar will easily show. Perhaps Llanercost's best performance was his winning the Ascot Cup last year, from St. Francis, Bloomsbury, and others, but I am very much inclined to supthat if St. Francis had been used in a different manner, the race pose would not have been awarded to Llanercost. I may also hint to the

backers of Llanercost for the Chester Cup, that the course (a circular one of one mile and one hundred yards) is about the worst one in England to give weight away at; and, independently of that, the hosts of light weights in the race, is sure to have the effect of making every ounce of the weight tell.

Lord Milltown's three, if there be any truth in public running, can have little or no chance. Old Cruiskeen is one of the most uncertain performers of the day, but let her be ever so well, she will never manage the distance with eight stone on her back. I would most decidedly stand my money upon Marshal Soult, in preference to any other of Scott's lot, and I will tell you why. Previous to the last Derby race, Marshal Soult was tried to be a very superior three-yearold, and was, in consequeuce, selected by the party to be the best of their very extensive lot to stand their Derby money upon; the wretched figure the Marquis cut in the race, occasioned much disappointment, and I will venture to say, that no one was more annoyed by the " untoward event," than William Scott was. At Goodwood, Marshal Soult was brought out to run for the Great Produce Stakes, on the last day, but it was evident that his condition was anything but first-rate, and the distance, one mile and a-half, proved too much for his then power of endurance. From these unsatisfactory exploits, the Marquis of Westminster determined to get rid of this son of Velocipede, and he was accordingly sent to Tattersall's and knocked down to Lord Chesterfield for 310 gs. I have no doubt that the Scotts anticipate glorious things from Marshal Soult, and I, for one, shall be disappointed if he does not turn out a second Sleight of Hand. My next favourite of Scott's lot, for this race, is All Fours, but the doubtfulness of his standing the requisite preparation for a race of this sort, makes it rather a precarious speculation to be too sanguine on this son of Augustus and Mysie.

Of Dawson's lot, three in number, I fancy the Young 'Un to be a trifle the best in; but his form must have undergone very considerable improvement, even to enable him to live in the first flight at the finish of the race. Bellona can, and in all probability will run in the front rank for a mile, but I apprehend that she will not stay the distance; even with the nice weight fixed upon her. For The Maid, many Manchester speculators entertain a very high respect, but I have yet to learn what business she has even to be thought of, much less backed for a race of this description. It may be argued that her weight is comparatively nothing, five years, seven stone; this is very true, but three or four others, with much better characters, stand equally well in; Sister to Glencoe, for instance, four years, 6st. 7lb.; I have a notion that this Sister to Glencoe ought not to be despised for this great sporting race.

What could induce Mr. Lea to imagine that his crazy old horse, George, had a chance even with seven stone only, on his back, it is out of the range of my ability to fathom; for the miserable animal never could show his head in front even amongst the fourth or last class of racers. In 1840 this horse, then five years old, was weighted 7st. 12lb. and last year they placed on him 7st. 8lb. If Mr. Lea, or Mr. Knox, be hardy enough to enter him next year, a feather may be anticipated. Let The Lord Mayor come well to the post, and I predict that he will not be far from putting his head first by the judge's chair. When this horse was three years old he was a general favourite for the Derby, and the public, the good natured public, backed him very freely; he, however, did not start, although his condition was "perfection" on the day. At four years old he was purchased by his now spirited owner for something like one thousand guineas, and has turned out not a very profitable speculation to his party. I have been informed that The Lord Mayor has never, at any time, under the present hands, been what is termed in the ring quite " up to the mark." All I can say is, that if his trainer can borrow the coat that The Lord Mayor had on Wednesday, the 15th of May, 1839, his chance of carrying off the Chester Tradesmen's Cup, on Tuesday, the 4th of May next, is far from improbable. Of Dilly's lot I think rather meanly. Welfare having paid, Johnny and Rory O'More are the sole dependance of the Hampshire establishment; and despite the public opinion, I lean to Johnny in preference to Rory, whose patched up form can scarcely admit of his having a chance. Nevertheless it must not be withheld that two or three of our best judges of country racing have laid it on heavily on Rory O'More, while Johnny's name has been seldom heard, either at the Corner, or at the places of business at Liverpool and Manchester. It must not be forgotten that Johnny, carrying 7st. 2lb. ran a good second, at least as far as the beaten ones were concerned, to Orelia, for the Liverpool Trades Cup last year, beating twenty others, distance two miles.

Jolly Tar is extremely well in, and his running, taken in a lump, is very passable. His performances have been confined to Ireland. At the Curragh June Meeting, he ran three times, as follows: On Wednesday, June 9th, Jolly Tar, three yrs. old, 7st., ran fourth to Tearaway, three yrs. old, 7st. for Her Majesty's Plate of 100 gs. two miles; Johnny, four yrs. old, 8st. 7lb. was second; Kilmoyler, three yrs. old, 7st., third. Won rather easily. On Thursday, in the same meeting, Jolly Tar, carrying 7st. 11lb. ran second to The Augean, aged, 8st. 12lb. for a sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, with 25 added, mile and a quarter, beating Barebones aged, 8st. 12lb., and Shepherd, three yrs. old, 7st. 2lb., a good race. On Saturday, in the same meeting, Jolly Tar, 11st. 3lb. won the Corinthian Stakes of 10 sovs. each, with 25 added,

mile and three quarters, beating Mr. Watt's colt by Zealot, out of Zillah, 3 yrs. old., 10st. 3lb. won cleverly.

At the Howth meeting, July 9th, Jolly Tar at 9st. 9lb, won the Vaughan Goblet, with 50 Sovereigns; added to a Sweeystakes of 15 sovs. each, 10 ft. for three yrs.old and upwards-heats, two miles-beating Bounceaway, 3 yrs. old, 9st. 6lb. who had no chance in either heat. On the same day, Jolly Tar, carrying 11 stone, started for the Citizens Plate (Handicap) but was beaten by Spenser, 4 yrs. old, 11st.9lb. Mudlark, 4 yrs. old, 11st. 7lb. was third, and Hazard, 5 yrs. old, 11st. 10lb., fourth. A capital race. At the Curragh Sept. meeting, Jolly Tar, carrying 7st. won a Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, h. ft., with 25 added—one mile and a half-beating Flush,4 yrs. old, 8st., Great Wonder, 4 yrs. old, 8st., and Wirrestrew,5 yrs. old, 8st. 12lb. I have been particular in giving Jolly Tar's performances, because I fancy he will make the Irish division safe, at least as far as the Chester Tradesmen Cup is concerned. I fancy the Chester course will suit this son of Crescent to a T. The other Irish horses engaged in this race are Vulcan, Cruiskeen, Clinker, Jonny, Retriever, Humming Bird, George, Zelmira, and Fidhawn.

Heseltine has four engaged, viz.: The Squire, Alice Hawthorn, Brother to Harpurhey, and Bellingham Lass. Of this goodly lot, I certainly prefer The Squire, notwithstanding the vast difference in their respective weights. Taking The Squire's running all through, few will quarrel with his performances. At Doncaster, when going in good style, and upon even terms with the best in the race, he unfortunately got shut out; and in descending the hill, very nearly came down on his nose; by these mishaps he lost a considerable deal of ground, and in all probability the St. Leger. His running in the autumn, proved him to be one of the honestest of his kind, and his race with Ralph clearly informed us that "honesty is the best policy," even in the affairs of the Turf. Alice Hawthorn has a few admirers, but I apprehend her form is not of that cast to enable her to keep first rate society. Lord G. Bentinck has accepted with his three feather weights, viz. Topsail, Tripoli, and Proof Print; and as their stable companion, The Currier, did not accept, it may be concluded that the feathers are as well in as their noble owner expected. I by no means like a feather weight, in a race of the Chester Cup kind, knowing full well the advantage of having something like a jockey up to keep the animal together. I consider the chances of this leash as remote as remote can be.

Pagan, Ermengardis, The Dean, and Portrait, are in upon equal terms, bnt I do not fancy either of them as the winner of the Chester Tradesmen's Cup, 1842. My pick is Marshal Soult, The Lord Mayor, The Squire, Jolly Tar, and The Young 'Un. Nous verrons.

Feb. 12, 1842.