SPORTING.

Three weks prior to the English Derby : v eing run Spearmint waa quoted at 100 to 3. A wek later he advanoed to 30 to 1, I and subsequently, owing to a report," which was probably correct, that he had , beaten Pretty Polly in a trial, a strong demonstration was made in his favour. Ascetics Silver, who won' the Liverrool Grand National Steeplechase, has had A . series of mishaps. His dam died a few j days after giving that horse birth, and ; hed had to be brought up by hand. At fvo yeara old Ascetics Silver, being I frightened by a thunderstorm, galloped , into a ditch' and dislocated one of liia Lipe. ' a brother to Ardgroagh. who waa with him at the time, being killed. Recovering from his injuries, Ascetics Silver dsahed through a fence and hurt his back so badly that his owner determined to destroy him, but was persuaded t« give the horsp another chasre, and he recovereU, to win the Grand "National.