Cheltenham and Punchestown get new sponsor

Whisky producer Glenfarclas has been unveiled as the new sponsor of Cheltenham’s cross-country race series.

The deal encompasses all three contests at Prestbury Park along with additional races at Pau in south-west France on January 18 and Punchestown on February 1.

Glenfarclas will also be backing an incentive to encourage international competition with any horse remaining in the same ownership throughout, and participating in both the French and Irish legs of the series, eligible to run at the Festival for double prize money.

That would mean a qualifying winner would get a bonus in excess of £30,000 and the race could potentially be worth up to £100,000

Peter McNeile, Cheltenham’s director of sponsorship, said: “Glenfarclas is a brand famed for its single-mindedness and I’m confident that this bold move will further increase the international competitiveness of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at The Festival.”