EBOR BREAKS £1M BARRIER

RAIN continues to disrupt this week’s racing with today’s jumps programme at Catterick called off because of standing water on the track.

Yesterday’s fixtures at Wincanton and Pontefract, tomorrow’s Musselburgh meeting and Saturday’s Stratford card have all been abandoned. THE Ebor will become the first Flat handicap in Britain to be worth £1 million after York unveiled a major new sponsorship deal with Sky Bet.

Following the transfer of sponsorship from Betfred, prize-money for the Sky Bet Ebor will this August total £500,000 — up from £285,000 in 2017.

The purse will then be doubled to £1m in 2019 to make it Europe’s most valuable stayers’ race.

Sky Bet will also take over the backing of the Melrose Handicap and the Great Voltigeur.