Lexus taking over Ericsson chase

Leopardstown racecourse today announced a new sponsorship agreement with Lexus Ireland which means the premium car marque will back the prestigious contest previously known as the Ericsson Chase.

The new agreement, which runs from 2004 to 2006, means that the €150,000 contest – won last month by Best Mate – will be known as the Lexus Chase.

Dr Tim Mahony, chairman of Lexus Ireland, said: “We are delighted with this sponsorship of the Lexus Chase.

“We have been looking for the right racing sponsorship for some time and when this chase became available, we jumped at the opportunity.

“National Hunt racing is passionately followed in Ireland. Therefore we see it as fitting in with our plans for Lexus in Ireland.”