26 EPSOM, 1831. 



This same meeting" produced another '* bite" in the shape 

 of Circassian, who from her running jumped at once into 

 the betting first favourite for the Oaks, and then lost it. 

 Many other alleged '' flyers," were likewise stripped of 

 their false plumage in the course of a week, throughout 

 which, Priam cantering in advance of sundry dilatory nags, 

 for two good stakes, was the only true picture of a race 

 horse that appeared. 



The two first days at Epsom aflforded some excellent 

 sport. But who, with the Derby so near, could spare 

 much of his attention to the races which precede it? 

 Suffice it to say, that The Colonel proved himself no 

 craven, by the style in which he won the Craven Stakes, 

 although he left Fortiude behind him. Suftblk Punch 

 won the Cup ; and Spaniel won the Shirley Stakes in a 

 canter: but the Magnates of the betting having made up 

 their minds that he had not the requisites for a Derby 

 winner, his success only served to send him back in the 

 betting-. 



It was not, however, long before they were undeceived 

 ■ — twenty-three horses came to the post, but the multitude 

 saw but one — Riddlesworth was to them the field, and 

 their feelings were less of anxiety or doubt about winning, 

 than impatience to finger their gains. Spaniel will be a 

 lesson to those who think the first performance of a two 

 year old an infallible criterion of his future running. 



The Oaks was considered as safe a race as the Derby, 

 and here again the " backers of their Circassian" favourite 

 discovered that the " laughing gas" was not O.vijgen ! 



Ascot was not this year so bright and sparkling with its 

 favourites as usual. The Cup race, won by Cetus, was a 

 dull aff^air; and the Oatlands Stakes alone brought any 

 " Crack" nags to the post. For this The Colonel, notwith- 

 standing his weight (9st. 6lb.), was the favourite, nor did 



