RACING: Greatwood end Cheltenham association (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

RACING: Greatwood end Cheltenham association

2:12pm Tuesday 11th September 2012 in Sport

CHELTENHAM are seeking a new sponsor for their major handicap hurdle at the Open meeting after an 11-year association with Greatwood, the retired racehorse welfare charity based in Marlborough, came to an end.

The Greatwood Hurdle has been the centrepiece of the third and final day of Prestbury Park's November meeting in recent years, with the valuable contest now recognised as an early-season trial for the Champion Hurdle.

But this year the extended two-mile contest, run on November 18, will carry a new name.

The Greatwood Hurdle was sponsored on behalf of the charity by Nigel Bunter, owner of the Barbury Castle Estate, which is home to the Barbury Castle Horse Trials and the stables of trainer Alan King.

Bunter said: "I am extremely proud to have had the chance to support the Greatwood Hurdle for the past 11 years.

"During that time, the race has become a leading trial for the Champion Hurdle at the Festival with many famous winners including Rooster Booster in 2002, Detroit City in 2006, Sizing Europe in 2007 and Menorah in 2010.

"But above all I have been delighted to support the Greatwood Charity which does such wonderful work with retired racehorses and disadvantaged children and which continues to need the help of all of us in racing."

Helen Yeadon, co-founder of Greatwood, commented: "I can't thank Nigel enough for his generous and enthusiastic support of our charity over the years; particularly with the Greatwood Hurdle.

"There is no doubt that this valuable televised race at Cheltenham and associated publicity has had a huge impact on the profile of our work and enabled us to help many more horses and children than would otherwise have been the case."

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