Under very favourable circumstances as regarded weather, the S.P.H.C. Handicap was decided on Saturday, unusual interest Leing manifested in it Ly' the gathering of spectators at the start, and points of advantage along the route, and particularly at finish, 'The start' was from behind Sicawei, as usual, but the course was slightly' changed so that the field were in sight of the spectators fur some little dis-tunca, this being managed by avoiding the customary enclosure. The course then went through a "run down," straight on for short distance, when there was another "run down" on the left, straight away for some distance, bearing to the right, over a tidal creek sharp to. the left, wer the ye yards, After a long piece of straight "it went over another water jump. It then bore to the right, towards the Big Grave, taking a sty jump before it weston to the Granite Road. Thence it went to the Little House, and sharp round to the left over Blick Auster's, up ty the corner jump, across J, taking the jump at right angles to the Tidal Creek. The wk was run through near the Joss Hous and the Whited Sepulchre jamp followed, water jump before the Jessfield Road being taken, the course led on to the Little Round, taking the Creek, that was jumped twice, somewhat lower than usual, Passing the regular Island Wade it went the Wal, and two Cow Jumps, up the small jum turn was made. back 1 bit to the right on to the jamp near the Seragyy Firs. From this course Was chosen, bean to the left, leaving the old corner jump by the village on the right. Galloping down the flat towards Alpha Farm, the hunt had to eres a suvall m ty the right again round t sed grave, bear sharp runnd this grave to the right, to the fi hich was taken, the reverse way frou previous years. The course it would be mentioned was just over eight miles. ortly after the advertised time Mr. Bridie Glarke and Mr. R. Macgregor sent off the limit w Mr. ann on Nitro, knowing the course, evidently acting as pilot to his naval companion. Ie was otic able by the spectators that each succeed Datch secur-d to make further progress in the half minute than its predecessors; in fact the half-minute men, led by the favourite Rob Kay, were almost out of sight before the scratch men started. The Graveyards, as usual, caused the first grief, Mixture being seen riderless, The next to come to grief wa: Mr. Fred. Dallas on Birdeateher. "The Big Grave jump on to the Granite Road roved a still more formidable obstacle.
ismer, who was considered rather a "good thing," was seen wading, his rider hanging on to the reins from the bank, d-using gentle and endearing terms to induce him to come out, There being no time for help or sympathy in " handicap, the field left him. Nonpareil, although making good way on the flat, did not seem to be jumping as if he liked it, but a timely cut of the whip proved sufficient inducement to get him over the big jumps. Black Auster's the dangers of which are perhaps rather exaggerated—had on this occasion been nate additionally objectionable by the action of the natives, and the knowledge of this probably affected the riders, for alarge crowd was gathered on the take-off side, apparently unable to get their ponies across,—some of them, it must be said, trying in a rather half-hearted manner, Smuggler, however, took the jamp in good tyle, and was to b" seen rapidly overhuuling the leaders, Amongst those taking the jump well must be noted Oliver Cromuvell, Prwitan, Careless, Oliver Twist, Piqua, Guarantee, nud Camptown, On the Jeastield Road—which was within handy distance of the finish—a crowd of spectators had nssembled, Mr, Mann on Nitro was the first over the road, followed by Mr, Rea Quickstep, and Me, 0. R. Burkill on Father O'Flyun," The field were pretty well together, Mr. A. W. Burkill on Camptown being' well up in the centre division, but the mount ofthe other scratch man was evident= ly hanging out signals of distress, his want condition doubtless telling on him. Piqua also seemed to have had enough, and some of our naval friends were shipping heavy sexs."
Another knot of spectators had gathered between the Island Wale and the Cow Jumps. The frst Cow Jump was nature ally mn interesting obstacle, us when full of water it is the most formidable of the course. Smuggler, who had at this time assumed the command, was the only pony make x gallery leap," the remainder of the Geld geting through the jump in very miscellaneous style. One rider, evidvutly imagining he was at the Wath, and going in off the spring-board, disappeared head first, Down the Toland Gallop the leaders were Smnygler, Quickstep, Puritan, Dicer Twist, Kingcvaft and Oliver Crom: cell, the latter going very strongly. in sight of the spec: tators at the finish it. Crane on Snuggler, closely pursued by Me, Ren on Quickstep, Mr. Dudgeon on Puritan being axeed third, "Tt appeared at leaders would go wrong, but the Master promptly riding nut signalled them on to the right scent. Sinugyler maintained the lead, audonthis occasion taking the last jump after a momentary hesitation, landed '® winner, Me. Rea coming to grief, and failing to remount, was disqualified for leading his pony through the flags. Me, Dudgeon on Puritan. was secund, Mr. Callaway on Oliver Troist secured third honours, after a spirited contest with Mr. A. W. Burkill on Camptoron, who was fourth. Mr. Liddell on' Oliver Cromwell was fifth and Me, Middleton on Kingeraft sixth.
Mr. Crane's capture of the much coveted pink coat, after having on several occasions during the season so nearly secured victory, was very popular, and he was warriily com: plimented on all sides, One noteworthy performance was the gallant manner in which the brown griffin carried Lieut. Da Costa, the top-weight, through the hunt and over the last jump, It only remains to add thet great pains had evidently been taken in the laying of the paper, by the Mxster and Mr. Ayscough, The handicapping, too, was very good, as was evidenced by the fact that up to the Inst the race appeared to be a very open one, even to the knowing brigade. There was not a little regret that Fenture, who has proved himself such a No. 1 animal during the season could not start, owing to his owner's departure for Hongkong.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.