Cheltenham name new race after Pipe

Cheltenham's newest race at the Festival is to be named in honour of Martin Pipe, the most successful National Hunt trainer of all time.

The inaugural Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle will be run at 4.40pm on 13 March.

Pipe was champion trainer 15 times and ended his career with 4,182 winners, 34 of which came at the Festival.

"This is a huge honour," said Pipe. "Cheltenham has always been my favourite course and most of the best moments of my career were there."

Cheltenham's managing director, Edward Gillespie, added: "Martin Pipe is, quite simply, a legend. I'm delighted that his name will sit alongside other great trainers at the Festival."

Meanwhile, Lough Derg, now trained by Martin's son David, could make a quick reappearance at Cheltenham's Festival Trials Day meeting on Saturday after his impressive success at Ascot at the weekend.

Lough Derg is one of 10 horses entered at the five-day stage for the Cleeve Hurdle, a trial for the World Hurdle.

Current ante-post favourite Punchestowns is also among the intended runners as well as 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup third Turpin Green, who has been disappointing in recent outings over fences.

But World Hurdle second favourite Kasbah Bliss is not among the entries, with Francois Doumen now targeting the seven-year-old at the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock next month.

He said: "We've had a series of frosts and the race has come too soon."

The Letheby & Christopher Chase has attracted 16 entries including Jonjo O'Neill's King George VI Chase runner-up Albertas Run and Exotic Dancer, The Queen's Barbers Shop, and the Paul Nicholls-trained Star De Mohaison.