Winner of Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso to qualify for £100k bonus
The £75,000 bet365 More b-attle Hurdle will move from mid-februar y to become the headline event on a bumper £209,000 programme at Kelso on Saturday 6 March.
The seven-race card already features the bet365 Premier Novices Hurdle (Grade 2) and the bet365 Premier Steeplechase (Listed Race).
In addition to the increased prize fund, the winner of the bet 365 More battle Hurdle will be eligible for a bonus of £100,000 if going on to win any race at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.
Four of the seven races scheduled on 6 March, all of which will be sponsored for the first time by bet365, will be broadcast live on ITV1.
On behalf of bet 365, Pat Cooney said: “We are delighted to sponsor at Kelso at their most valuable meeting, and can expect a very competitive days racing.
"The £100,000 bonus will really add interest to what will be an exciting bet365 Morebattle Hurdle, and we look forward to having a talent packed card.”
Kelso Racecourse managing director Jonathan Garratt said: “The Morebattle reverted to being a handicap hurdle last season and this development has been a long time in the planning.
"We are indebted to our sponsors bet365 for their generous support which has helped to bring the idea to fruition. Our intention is to create a flagship day which will become a major feature of the National Hunt season in 2021 and for many years to come.”
Meanwhile, Saint Leo faces six rivals in the Hunter Reim Handicap Chase as he bids to b ounce back to form at the behind closed doors fixture at Kelso today.
The ex-french recruit has yet to post a form figure better than third since arriving with a tall reputation from his native countr y where he won three times over hurdles and twice over fences. He started off with Sandy Thomson in the autumn of 2018 and he was travelling strongly when falling four out at Ayr in March last year, but has had both runs this backend after a subsequent move to Lucinda Russell.
Saint Leo carries the colours of Ray Green and the East Lothian-based owner said: “Because of the form he showed in France he has to be our biggest disappointment. James Reveley, who rode him when he won his first hurdle race, told us he though the was a better horse than Upsilon Bleu who at one time was rated 150 when we had him at his peak.
“He has a problem as it turns out that he is a horse that breaks blood vessels which explains what has happened to date. As a result his handicap mark has been reduced and, providing we can get him anything like right, I wouldn’t swap him for anything.”
The opposition is headed by top-weight Defi Sacre, trained near Cheltenham by Richard Hobson and Rachael Mcdonald-ridden Lake Takapuna.