RED TOP, Conn., June 9--Encouraged by last Saturday's very favorable time trial, the Varsity crew has been showing the most promising pre-race form since the days of Gerry Cassedy and his mates, and enthusiasm over the possibility of a win over the Elis for the first time in three years was running high here to-night.

Three of the crews went down the river below the bridge for the first time yesterday and observers noted that the spacing has shown a marked improvement and Roger Cutler is fitting in well on the No. 2 sweep.

Reports from the Gales Ferry camp of the Elis across the river indicate that the Crimson eight will be facing one of the weakest Blue combinations in several years, and Harvard's managers tonight timed the opponents for an upstream time trial in 21 minutes 54 seconds.

The Harvard first boat was clocked in its trial on Saturday in 20 minutes 34 seconds, a time that is considered by experts as promising for the first trial on the Thames.

Today Coach Whiteside concentrated on racing starts against the Freshman boat. In the rougher water of the New London course, the Yardlings and the Jayvees have been experiencing some difficulty in keeping the boat level, but have been increasing their power at a padding stroke. The program calls for a two-mile time trial for the Freshmen on Thursday with the Second Varsity boat furnishing the opposition.

Yale's few days at Gales Ferry have been marked by illness, ineligibility and constant changes in the seating, facts which have given confidence to the Harvard oarsmen. Captain Castle did not row either on yesterday or today, because of illness.