Punchestown Festival's Grade One Champion Hurdle will have a new sponsor for next year's renewal on April 28th when ACCBank take over as the backers of the €180,000 contest.
The race has been won by horses such as Istabraq and Hardy Eustace in recent years, with the 2005 running seeing Brave Inca outbattle Harchibald and Macs Joy. Colm Murphy, trainer of Brave Inca, welcomed ACCBank's involvement.
"New sponsorships and increasing prize funds are what all trainers love to hear about and what Irish racing needs," he said.
"I will certainly be aiming to retain my claim on the ACCBank Champion Hurdle, especially with its increased prize fund."
Meanwhile, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King and Beef Or Salmon head a fascinating field of eight runners declared for the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park on Saturday.
Ollie Magern, rated by the bookmakers as the main danger to Kicking King on the back of his impressive Charlie Hall Chase success last month, has been declared by Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Kingscliff, Take The Stand, Jonjo O'Neill's Keen Leader, Royal Auclair and Celestial Gold will also feature. Hand Inn Hand, Happy Hussar and Lord Transcend were the only withdrawals at the final declaration stage.
Paddy Power Betfair Chase betting: 10-11 Kicking King, 4-1 Ollie Magern, 7-1 Beef Or Salmon, 8-1 Kingscliff, 11-1 Celestial Gold, 12-1 Keen Leader, 20-1 Take The Stand, 28-1 Royal Auclair.
