Sandown announce bumper sponsorship deal

Sandown Park have announced a three-year deal for William Hill to sponsor the Tingle Creek Meeting at the track.

The fixture will now be known as the William Hill Tingle Creek Meeting and staged on December 5 and 6.

The bookmakers, long-standing supporters of the William Hill Handicap Hurdle on the Saturday, have added five further races which is set to provide owners with nearly £1m (€1.4m) in total prize money over the next three years.

As well as the two flagship races, the Tingle Creek and Handicap Hurdle, a new feature race will strengthen the card.

The williamhill.co.uk Marathon Chase, run over three miles, five furlongs and worth £45,000 (€64,000), is the new name for the Mildmay Cazalet Memorial Steeple Chase, traditionally run at Sandown’s January Meeting.

Following extensive consultation, it was decided that the chase, which was named in memory of Anthony Mildmay and his close friend Peter Cazalet, would fit better into the overall domestic staying race programme by being run one month earlier.

The Mildmay and Cazalet families had themselves reached the conclusion that an appropriate time had come to draw a line under their long association with Sandown Park.

Both families have given their blessing to the new race. which will have a 0-145 rating band and is aimed at providing a stepping stone to the Coral Welsh Grand National.

The William Hill Handicap Hurdle will now have a 0-140 rating band, from 0-150, and will be worth £50,000 (€71,000).

David Harding, William Hill’s chief executive, commented: “Through the William Hill Handicap Hurdle, we have had a long association with this meeting and we are delighted to be supporting Sandown Park and more specifically National Hunt racing with this extended package of races.

“Watching Tingle Creek (the horse) is one of my earliest memories of horse racing and this is one of the most dramatic races of the year.

“I have long envied the sponsors of this race and now I can honestly say I am chuffed to bits to be able to call it the William Hill Tingle Creek.”

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Flagship Uberalles, a dual winner of the race, added: “I think the sponsorship is a fabulous fillip for the sport at a time when cuts are having to be made elsewhere.

“Good prize money is essential to attract new owners and subsequently good horses. I will certainly

be aiming a number of horses towards this meeting, including Flagship Uberalles at the Tingle Creek.

“Conditions for the Marathon Chase will be ideal for horses like Village King and Possible Pardon.”