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William Hill sponsors the County Handicap Hurdle

William Hill has been named the new sponsor of the County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival.

The newly rebranded William Hill County Handicap Hurdle will take place on 14 March 2025, and is saged over an extended two miles on the final day of Jump racing’s Olympics, Gold Cup Day.

It has been described as one of the Festival’s most competitive contests and frequently attracts a ‘maximum field’.

Daryl West, William Hill’s Head of Media and Sponsorship, commented: “As William Hill celebrates over 90 years in the industry we’re embracing our heritage and being part of horse racing’s biggest days is something we’ve done throughout our history. 

“Racedays don’t come much bigger than Gold Cup Day, so we’re delighted to be a part of it and back at the Cheltenham Festival in 2025.

“The County Hurdle is always a great betting heat and we’ve seen some incredible hurdlers use it as a springboard to greatness. It’s a brilliant race for William Hill to showcase our commitment to proper prices for our customers and it’s a race that we’ve regularly offered extra places for each-way backers.”

Last year, William Hill became the official betting partner of the Randox Grand National Festival as a part of a three-year deal.

The bookmaker was also named the sponsor of three ITV-televised races during the three-day Festival at Aintree from 13 – 15 April 2023.

“As official betting partners of the Grand National and now Cheltenham Festival partners once again, we’re delighted to strengthen our relationship with The Jockey Club,” added West on the new deal.

“This is in addition to the Champion Chase at Punchestown meaning we’re right at the heart of the action at all three major spring festivals.”

Meanwhile, last weekend saw William Hill put its name to five races at Cheltenham’s opening meeting of the season – The Showcase.

William Hill’s association with the Home of Jump Racing in the past included sponsorship of the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase at The Festival from 1998 to 2010, while it also backed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2009, 2012 and 2013.

Dan Glavin, Bookmaker Partnerships Manager at The Jockey Club, stated: “It is fantastic to welcome back such a famous brand as William Hill to sponsorship at The Cheltenham Festival.

“We extend our thanks to William Hill for its generous support, including the sponsorship of the County Hurdle and throughout the season, starting on Friday at The Showcase.”

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