National Hunt Chase to be run in honour of late jockey

This season's National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival will be run in honour of leading amateur rider JT McNamara, who died at the age of 41 in July.

McNamara, who partnered more than 700 winners under rules and in point-to-points, scored 16 victories at Cheltenham, with half of his four festival successes coming in the four-mile contest for amateurs, courtesy of Rith Dubh (2002) and Teaforthree (2012).

Dubbed 'the king of the banks', McNamara also struck up a memorable affinity with Spot Thedifference, partnering JP McManus's cross-country legend to seven wins at Cheltenham, including at the festival in 2005. His other festival victory came on Drombeag in the 2007 Foxhunter Chase.