Monday 31 July 2017

BHA Race Upgrades: Aintree re-name Grade Two chase in honor of Many Clouds,

Embed from Getty Images
Popular Grand National winner Many Clouds has been honoured in the BHA's latest pattern race upgrades, with a Grade Two chase named after Oliver Sherwood's star.

The former Hennessy winner recorded Grand National victory carrying a huge 11st 9lb, becoming the highest handicapped winner of the signature steeplechase since Red Rum's second win in 1974.

Many Clouds tragically suffered died following his victory over Thistlecrack in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.

“We’re delighted and honoured to re-name Aintree’s Listed Chase," said John Baker, Regional North West Director of the Jockey Club.

"The Many Clouds Chase, in honour of the 2015 Grand National hero and, as many people described, the people’s horse.

“I’d like to extend our gratitude to Trevor Hemmings, Oliver Sherwood and his team for allowing us to do so.”

Fingal Bay was one of the most popular winners of the Pertemps Network Final, when winning the prize in 2014 for Phillip Hobbs and Richard Johnson.

Elsewhere the Cheltenham Festival's Pertemps Network Final has been upgraded from a Listed race to Grade Three, in the BHA's annual pattern upgrades.

The handicap features on day three of the Festival, and previous winners include Fingal Bay, Holywell and Call The Cops.

Last year the prize was taken by Presenting Percy, providing both trainer Pat Kelly and Davy Russell a second consecutive victory in the race.

“The Pertemps Network Final, staged on the third day of The Festival in March, has received a deserved upgrade to Grade 3 status," said Ian Renton, Cheltenham Racecourse's director

“The three-mile handicap hurdle is ultra-competitive and there have been at least 22 runners for each renewal over the last 35 years.

"Pertemps Network, the backer since 2002, is a most loyal and valued supporter of the Final and its qualifying races.”

Cue Card won The Robert Mottram Memorial Trophy at Chepstow in 2011, four years later he was a King George winner.

Chepstow's Robert Mottram Memorial Trophy, which has been won by Cue Card in previous years, has been boosted from a class two to a Grade Two race.

In the Grand National meeting the Betway Handicap Chase has been upgraded from Listed to Grade Three, this season it was won by Sizing Codelco.

Three new Listed mares races has been added to the calendar, including a bumper at Market Rasen, novice chase at Newbury and chase at Perth.


No comments:

Post a Comment