George Duller Handicap Hurdle

The Pertemps Hurdle over 3 miles was first run as the Birdlip Hurdle in 1958, which was itself replaced by the George Duller Handicap Hurdle in 1963, named in honour of the ace jockey who later turned his hand equally successfully to motor racing. The George Duller Hurdle ran from 1963 to 1973, and was so popular that it had to be divided into two divisions in 1969. In 1974 it was moved to the April meeting, its place being taken by a similar 3-mile hurdle known as the Joe Coral Golden Hurdle Final, and later the sponsorship was taken over by Pertemps.

Early History:- The inaugural running of the George Duller Handicap Hurdle over 3 miles, which replaced the Birdlip Hurdle, took place on Wednesday 13th March 1963 and went to Happy Arthur (4/1 fav) owned by Major A Gibson, trained by J Oliver from Hawick and ridden by Tim Brookshaw, beating Gideon (100/7) and Black Caprice (10/1) by 8 lengths and the same.
George Duller Handicap Hurdle 1963 Handicap 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 HAPPY ARTHUR Tim Brookshaw J Oliver Major A Gibson 4/1 fav
2 GIDEON D O'Donovan F Sole Mr P J Leech 100/7
3 BLACK CAPRICE David Nicholson H Nicholson Mr C A Rookes 10/1
4 RUPUNUNI H Beasley A Thomas Mrs P Dunne Cullinan 11/2
5 POPHAM DOWN R Broadway Todd Mr G R Lee 13/2
6 NEAPOLITAN LOU John Buckingham E Courage Mr E R Courage 100/8
7 FERRY BOAT F Shortt D Auld Mrs W Macauley 100/9
8 VILLAGE FAIR Stan Mellor Goodwill Mr J M Wolf 10/1
9 BRANLE BAS G W Robinson Fulke Walwyn Mr W G Tompkins 100/9
10 MERRY DEAL I Markham A W Jones Mr Arthur Jones 20/1
11 ROSEBUD Josh Gifford P Moore Mr R F Tilbrook 20/1
12 TOMMY FRENCH S Hayhurst R Hall Mr C W Brown 20/1
13 BLACKHEATH T Baldwin Wibberley Mr J Joseph 20/1
14 ROBERT'S FIRST D Bassett Bassett Mrs T M Stuck 20/1
15 MARMOSET W Palmer Toby Balding Lord Ilchester 20/1
16 WELL PACKED H East Bobby Renton Mrs L Brotherton 20/1
17 LONG STORY Terry Biddlecombe Todd Mr P J King 10/1
F TRANSATLANTIC C Chapman C E Pratt Mrs L Dingwall 20/1
F EARLY BIRD E Campbell W Crawford Mr L M Harper Gow 20/1
F HIGHLAND MYTH R Sharp Trevisick Mr H C Swaffield 20/1
F ASHBURN Fred Winter H Ryan Price Lord Weir 6/1
        Over round 175%
This race was staged on Wednesday 13th March 1963 when Happy Arthur beat Gideon and Black Caprice by 8 lengths and 8 lengths