New sponsor boost for hurdle jackpot

Grade 2 race set for major backing on ITV stage

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With headquarters in Elderslie, near Glasgow and offices in Manchester, York, Edinburgh and Inverness, CPMS has built a solid reputation among its growing list of clients.

CPMS Managing Director, Charlie Shiells, said: “We are delighted and proud to be sponsoring such a historic and prestigious race as the Scottish Champion Hurdle.

“We are looking forward to our partnership with Ayr Racecourse, Scotland’s premier horse racing venue, and to being part of the biggest day of the year in Scottish jumps racing.

“It is a very exciting time for us all at CPMS.”

The new sponsor was welcomed by Ayr Racecourse Managing Director, David Brown, who said : “The Scottish Champion Hurdle is firmly established as one of the foremost hurdle races in the country.

“I am thrilled to welcome CPMS as sponsors and we at Ayr are looking forward to working alongside the CPMS team to make the CPMS Scottish Champion Hurdle even bigger and better.”

The Scottish Champion Hurdle was first run in 1966 and awarded Grade 2 status in 1991.

Previous winners include Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Captain Christy in 1973, Alderbrook who won the race in 1996 - a year after winning the Champion Hurdle - and more recently Cheltenian in 2015, Ch’Tibello in 2016 and Chesterfield in 2017.

• AYR was due to stage a seven race card today (Wednesday) with big fields expected after a weekend that saw almost all of the turf meetings abandoned due to frost.

Big fields were expected and among the entries was the Philip Kirbytrained Northern Girl, an impressive winner at the track on January 20, in the Weatherbys General Stud Book Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.

We are looking forward to our partnership with Ayr Racecourse... it is a very exciting time for us all at CPMS