Cook remembered at Cheltenham

Robin Cook, the late former British Labour foreign secretary, will be honoured with a race in his memory at Cheltenham on December 10.

The race formally known as the bonusprint.com Gold Cup will this year have backing from totesport and be run as the £110,000 (€160,900) Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup.

“Cheltenham is a place for champions and Robin Cook was a champion of jumps racing and the tote, as well as a steadfast personal friend,” said tote chairman Peter Jones.

“I can think of no better event to be named in his memory and I hope we have a traditional rousing Cheltenham finish that will evoke memories of Robin’s tenacity and battling spirit.”

Chris Cook, Robin’s elder son, added: “On behalf of Gaynor and my brother, Peter, I’d like to thank Peter Jones and the tote for supporting this memorial race.

“I know my dad would have been thrilled to have a race run in his name, particularly such an important race as this.

“Horse racing was his main interest outside politics for the last 20 years and offered him a priceless escape from the pressure of public life.

“When he was on a racecourse, he was at his most relaxed and happy, and I can’t think of a more appropriate place for his friends to remember him.

“His preference was for jump racing, so there could be no better venue than Cheltenham, where he was a regular visitor from November to March each jumps season.

“A winning bet at Cheltenham always seemed sweeter to him than a win elsewhere. He’d be very proud to have his name in the racecard there.”

Peter McNeile, commercial manager at Cheltenham, said: “We are delighted the Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup is taking place at the 2005 Cheltenham December meeting thanks to the generous sponsorship of the tote.

“Robin’s enthusiasm for racing, plus his promotion of the sport, were much appreciated by all of us at Cheltenham so it is fitting he is remembered by this great handicap chase which was founded in 1963 and is the feature race of the meeting.”