LADBROKES has been unveiled as the new sponsor of Down Royal’s November Festival of Racing in a three-year partnership. The six-figure deal, the largest in Down Royal’s history, will see the bookmaker take on title sponsorship of the Grade 1 Champion Chase with a prize fund of €140,000, the first Grade 1 race of the National Hunt season in Ireland or Britain.

The long-established two-day Festival, set to run on Friday, November 1st and Saturday 2nd, is the highlight of the racing calendar at Down Royal and the Champion Chase has an exceptional role of honour, including famous names such as Kauto Star, Beef Or Salmon, The Listener, Looks Like Trouble, Florida Pearl and Don Cossack.