Cheltenham Festival race renamed in support of charity efforts in Ukraine crisis

The National Hunt Chase at this year's Cheltenham Festival will be renamed to show support for the humanitarian crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Run as the final race on the festival's opening day, the amateur jockey contest will be named the Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase (5.30) after the Jockey Club announced it would back the efforts by the British Red Cross to support those displaced by the war.

Ian Renton, managing director for Cheltenham, said: "The festival is a major social highlight for a very large number of the racegoers in attendance, probably even more so this year given the 2021 festival was held behind closed doors.

"However, this year's event is obviously taking place against the backdrop of major conflict in Ukraine.

Ian Renton: 'Using a race title to promote that seemed a very appropriate act for us to undertake'Credit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

"Given that coverage of the festival extends far beyond the coverage racing receives on a daily basis, we are keen to hand as much exposure to the invaluable work undertaken by humanitarian charities in these most desperate times.

"Using a race title to promote that seemed a very appropriate act for us to undertake.

"Racing has a tremendous record when it comes to fundraising and coming together in times when need is most keenly felt and we are aiming to help the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal as much as possible over the four days of the festival."

The Jockey Club will make a donation under its own name to the charity and plans to encourage racegoers to support the cause throughout the festival by highlighting the appeal over PA systems, within racecards and on the big screens.

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