Cheltenham continues talks over new backers for Stayers' and Mares' Hurdle

Aiden Coleman salutes the crowd as Paisley Park lands the Stayers' Hurdle, one of two festival Grade 1s currently without a commercial partnerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.cpm/photos)

While the debate continues over whether the Cheltenham Festival should be extended to a fifth day, a more pressing concern is the search for new sponsors for two of the meeting's Grade 1s, including day three highlight the Stayers' Hurdle.

Former Stayers' Hurdle sponsor Sun Bets are no longer trading, while the three-year deal with parent company News UK came to an end after last year's festival, and the Mares' Hurdle was backed between 2012 and 2019 by OLBG.

Cheltenham has shown itself to possess one of the most bankable portfolios in racing in recent years, with Magners signing a four-year deal in July 2018 covering not only the Gold Cup but also making them presenting sponsor of the festival.

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Scott BurtonFrance correspondent

Published on 20 January 2020inNews

Last updated 18:51, 20 January 2020

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