Trainer Pipe honoured with Cheltenham race

Cheltenham’s newest race at the Festival is to be named in honour of Martin Pipe, the most successful National Hunt trainer of all time.

The inaugural Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle will be run at 4.40pm on Gold Cup day (March 13).

Martin Pipe was champion trainer 15 times in 17 years and ended his career with 4,182 winners.

Pipe said: “This is a huge honour. Cheltenham has always been my favourite course and most of the best moments of my career were there.”

Cheltenham’s managing director, Edward Gillespie, added: “Martin Pipe is, quite simply, a legend.

“I’m delighted that his name will sit alongside other great trainers at the Festival.”