Cheltenham offers racegoers and royalty a First World War-themed afternoon

Cheltenham on Sunday offers racegoers the chance to reflect on what was supposed to be the war to end all wars as the track marks the centenary of the Armistice with a series of commemorative events and exhibitions being staged under the banner of Gloucestershire and Racing Remember.

Combat Stress, the UK's leading charity focused on veterans' mental health, will benefit financially from the afternoon, which will be attended by the Princess Royal.

At 10.50am the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, with soldiers dressed in First World War uniforms, will march in the parade ring, while at 11am the Cheltenham Steam Train will arrive with a contingent of Glosters on board, followed by an act of remembrance in the parade ring at 11.15am.

At 12.30pm there will be an aerial combat display above the racecourse, with a parade then taking place on the track at 1.30pm.

There will be a host of themed activities inside The Centaur. This will include a modern-day reserve medical unit recreating a life-size example of one of the field hospitals that were the first line of treatment in the battlefield.

New backer for Limerick meeting

Next month's four-day Christmas festival at Limerick has a new title sponsor after locally based waste recycling company Mr Binman agreed a three-year deal with the Munster venue.

The popular festive gathering, which attracted over 40,000 people across the four days in 2017, will now be known as the Mr Binman Christmas Racing Festival.

With a headquarters in Limerick, Mr Binman is said to employ over 130 people in the region. It services over 35,000 household customers and 3,500 commercial clients nationwide.

As part of the deal, the company will sponsor the 2m3f handicap chase on December 26, when the track is also scheduled to host its first Grade 1 courtesy of the newly promoted Greenmount Park Novice Chase.

“I am delighted to welcome Mr Binman on board as the title sponsor of the four-day Christmas festival," said Patrick O’Callaghan, the track's general manager.

"Mr Binman have been great supporters of Limerick for a number of years now and is an established household name in both Limerick and Munster, and we feel that it is essential for us to engage with businesses within the community."

Joe Cleary, sales and marketing director with Mr Binman, said: “We like to be involved in the heart of the community in which we operate and this festival is a huge boost for the local economy every year.

"We are excited about this partnership and we intend to help the Christmas festival at Limerick go from strength to strength over the coming years.”

Celebration for Elliott to take place on Wednesday

A celebration of the life of jockey and long-time BHA employee Paul Elliott takes place on Wednesday at 2pm at Casterley Barn, Rushall, Wiltshire SN9 6EG. It follows a private funeral.

Elliott, who rode winners on the Flat and over jumps before becoming part of the then BHB's dope testing team on southern tracks and also worked for Richard Hannon snr for a long time, died earlier this month aged 72.

Talismanic retired

Talismanic, the flashy horse with four white socks and a bald white face who claimed the scalps of Beach Patrol and Highland Reel in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Turf, has been retired.

A fan favourite, Talismanic was more than just a pretty face, as he showed when winning the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil and finishing second in the Hong Kong Vase. Andre Fabre's five-year-old entire was last seen finishing sixth to Enable in this year's Breeders' Cup Turf.

Fabre said: "Talismanic was a wonderful horse to train – he showed a great attitude at home and at the races, he was extremely sound, and he performed at a high level at three, four and five.

"His win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf epitomised what we are looking for in the modern racehorse – soundness of body, soundness of mind and an adaptability to different tracks and conditions at the highest level."

Stud plans will be announced at a later date.

Family affair

Peter, Michael and Tom Scudamore will be attending a reception at Castle House Hotel in Hereford on November 18 to celebrate the launch of their book Three of a Kind: The Scudamores.

Written by Chris Cook, the book features one of racing's most celebrated families opening up about their lives in the sport.

The reception takes place from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets can be purchased for £18 and include drinks and canapes. Proceeds will go St Michael's Hospice. If you are interested call Castle House on 01432 356321.

Betway to sponsor Musselburgh's big day

Betway have been announced as the new sponsors of Musselburgh's most prestigious fixture on New Year's Day.

The meeting, broadcast by ITV, stages two races worth £30,000 and attracts a crowd of 5,000.

Betway’s Alan Alger said: “With racing sponsorships already in place across England and in Ireland, we’re delighted to now be expanding into Scotland.

“Musselburgh has a deep and rich history of racing and we’re very pleased to be a part of its future, starting with a cracking day’s racing on New Year’s Day."

He added: "With £30,000 up for grabs in both The Betway Auld Reekie Steeple Chase and The Betway Hogmaneigh Hurdle, and the ITV Racing cameras in attendance, hopefully we’ll see some hotly contested renewals.”

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com