Sun Bets swoops to save Festival race
As part of the initial three-year deal, the Cheltenham Festival contest will revert to its traditional title ditching the tag of World Hurdle given by previous sponsors Ladbrokes
SUN BETS has saved the Stayers' Hurdle.
The online bookie has stepped in to sponsor the season's top long-distance hurdle. As part of the initial three-year deal, the Cheltenham Festival contest will revert to its traditional title.
The Grade 1 contest became the World Hurdle back in 2005 when Ladbrokes took over the sponsorship.
They were forced to end their association when deciding not to sign up to racing's Authorised Betting Partners policy. This has never been a problem for Sun Bets as it has been an ABP since launching earlier this year.
Sun Bets' Tim Reynolds said: "As an ABP we're delighted to sponsor a race as prestigious as the Stayers' Hurdle.
"We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Cheltenham, which further cements our commitment to British racing.
"We love the history and tradition of these fantastic races. Some of the most famous jumps horses have won this prize and we're looking forward to being associated with many more.
"It was run as the Stayers' Hurdle for more than 30 years and we felt it was time it reverted to its traditional title."
Some great horses have won the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle down the years. The great Baracouda won the race twice, with the hardy Inglis Drever notching up a hat-trick.
The greatest staying hurdler of them all - Big Buck's - did even better, winning a staggering four times for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh.
Brilliant Thistlecrack landed the prize last season. He has switched to fences this season but the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle is still shaping up to be a superb race.
Saturday's impressive Ascot scorer Unowhatimeanharry heads the betting at 11-4. Faugheen and Jezki, Nichols Canyon, Vroum Vroum Mag and The New One are others entered in the feature race of the Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival. This year it will take place on March 16.
To celebrate, Sun Bets are top priced EVERY runner in the Stayers' Hurdle today.
SUN BETS odds: 11-4 Unowhatimeanharry, 5 Faugheen, 6 Thistlecrack, 7 Nichols Canyon, 12 Vroum Vroum Mag, 14 Jezki, 16 Yanworth, Annie Power, Ballyoptic, Apples Jade, Snow Falcon