MONTHLY DIARY-COURSING MEETINGS-STEEPLE-CHASES, &c. THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN.-COVENTRY AND WARWICK SPRING SEA-FOWL SHOOTING.-BY TOHO, with an Illustration [ZOUCH ST. Cr5 22 26 3 59 0 11 8 F LAVENHAM ST. C. ASHBY DE LA s6 SHIPTON-ON-S6 48 2 14 THINKBERROW ST. CH. 15 F Easter Term begins 16 S Hoo R. 17 Third Sunday after Easter. 18 M 19 TU BATH AND BRISTOL R. 20 W ORMOND & KING'S COUNTY ST. C. s7 21 TH Chesham Fair 22 F Bedford Fair r4 5511 3 s7 712 3 45 9 3510 13 3,10 49 11 25 2011 54 40 27 4 r5 1828 4 26 1 14 1 29 s6 44 N sets 1 46 2 0 r5 6 5 morn. 4 33 4 49 s6 56 6 0 r5 2 7 1 s6 59 8 1 310 2 s7 10 F rises. 1 11 1 33 r4 48 15 8 a 39 1 56 2 18 s7 14 16 9 r4 44 17 11 s7 18 18 12 r4 40 19 morn 4 41 5 0 s7 21 20 0 4 Aylesbury (two) STEPLE-CHASES IN APRIL. ...... 5 Nottingham (two).. Close Ap. 2 & 5 5 Botesdale, Suffolk.... 5 Finchley.. 5 Beaconsfield 5 Bedford (hurdle). Close Ap. 2 Close Ap. 2 Close Ap. 4 Close Ap. 1 Close Ap. 6 .... Closed 6 Northleach (two) First closes Ap. 2; second on the 6th 8 Lavenham (two)...... 5 Grand Military (Maynooth).. Closed 12 Drogheda Close Ap. 9 20 Orm.& Kg's. Co. (two)Close Ap. 1 RACES IN APRIL. Closed Bibury (old course) 5 | Durham..... 7 The Hoo..... 16 Newm. 1st Sp. 25| Bath and Bristol 19 Bedford Spring 5 Newmarket C. 11 CLOSING OF STAKES IN APRIL.-Aberystwith, Eglinton Park, Ludlow, Wolverham on, Ascot, Manchester, and Newton, April 1; Shrewsbury, April 10. THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN. COVENTRY AND WARWICK SPRING MEETINGS. ALTHOUGH intrinsically possessing little interest, Coventry and Warwick are always in some degree worthy the passing notice of the turfite, as being the first regular meetings of the year, and proclaiming that "the season has begun." COVENTRY Races were less out of place this year than usual; the mild and open winter having given plenty of time for the preparation of the nags. The racing was, as usual, of no importance, and I have only brought it under notice here, on account of a false start for the CRAVEN TRIAL STAKES having given rise to a well contested match at Warwick. The incident at Coventry was this:-In the start for the Trial Stakes, Mr. Goodman's Sister to Glencoe, was left behind, and Mr. Skerratt's Lydia, making all the running, was never headed, and won easily; Arethusa, Mr. Brooke's Zealot colt, and Lord Warwick's roan Camel colt, making up a bad tail. The Steward having decided that it was a false start, the race was run over again, and won very easily by the Sister to Glencoe, although the betting was 6 to 4 on Lydia. The consequence of this race, and no race, was a match between Lydia and the Sister to Glencoe, at even weights for £100 a side, to be run at the Warwick Spring Meeting. This match had, therefore, some slight interest attached to it, from the unusual circumstances under which it had been made, for it was a peculiarly dark race, and both mares had many advocates and friends. It came off on the first day at WARWICK-the odds being 5 to 4 on the Sister to Glencoe, who, however, was beaten after a fine race by half a length. The only other race worthy of particular record at Warwick, was that for THE TRIAL STAKES, for which the following five came to the post : N. Stagg. Marquis of Westminster's William de Fortibus, 2 yrs. 6st. 12lb.. Francis. Chapple. ....Whitehouse. Mr. Rawlinson's Coral, 2 yrs. 6st. 12lb.... The chief interest attached to this race was in the appearance of William de Fortibus, who was looked upon in the light of a trial horse by all those who see a great deal in nothing. The race was a very severe one between the three first, all of them being whipped home; and this method of winning showed William to be a stout and game horse, whatever may be his particular demerits. This race last year brought out the winner of the Derby; I do not think that it will have that honour in the present season. The winner is a strong and well-shaped horse, big enough for any good purpose, |