O'Brien name dropped as Randox Health backs County Hurdle

Legendary trainer Vincent O'Brien will no longer have a race named after him at the Cheltenham Festival after Grand National backers Randox Health took over sponsorship of the County Hurdle.

The race, which has been run as the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle since 1995, will now be contested under the banner of the Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle for the next five years. Officials say they will continue to celebrate O'Brien's "tremendous achievements" in their Hall of Fame.

This represents a first step into race sponsorship at the festival for the healthcare company that backed two £50,000 handicap chases on Saturday's card at the Cheltenham Showcase meeting, and whose name will be attached to the Grand National for a five-year term.