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CHEERFUL S LINCONLNSHIRE CHANCES. In some quarters in England there is a decided fancy for the A merl can-bred Cheerful iu the Iirst big event of the coming flat raciug season, the Lincolnshire Handicap at a mile. Last year lie ran Cantilever to a head for the Cambridgeshire and on that form, with only 101 pounds to carry, has an obvious chance. However. "Augur," of Sporting Life, is not favorably impressed and had this to say about him recently: "There seems to he a sharp divergence of opinion as to whether Cheerful has, or has not, been favorably handicapped for the Lincolnshire Handicap. Personally, I expressed the view that lie had been given as much weight as he was entitled to on his performances as a three-year-old, wheti, be it re-nienilKjed, he did not win a race. True enough lie followed up his surprising failure at Alexandra Park by running Cantilever to a head for the Cambridgeshire, but while giving the gelding the fullest credit for this performance, it must not be forgotten that the start for the big Houghton handicap was one of the poorest of the season, several well-fancied horses heing practically out of the contest from the moment the tapes went up. Further, had Cantilever been right at his best on fhe day, it is unquestionable that Cheerful would never have got so near him as lie did. That there was something "fluky" about the result, too. was proved by Cheer-fuls subsequent performances, as while he finished unplaced to others of his age in China Cock and Oselle for the Liverpool Cup. he also did badly in the Manchester November Handicap. That there was something unsatisfactory about both these races I am quite prepared to admit, hut as Mr. Wilsons gelding is likely to be one of the first lot hacked for the Carholme event, it is just as well that a dispassionate view should he taken of his prospects. He is a likely sort to come to hand early, tho course should suit hiin and ho may be the good thing his friends so confidently assert him to lie, but for my part I prefer to apply the Scottish verdict of "not proven."
