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 1964 Handicap 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 DO OR DIE Tim Norman Neaves Mr A S Neaves 25/1
2 CORAL CLUSTER Terry Biddlecombe R Gandolfo Mr H V Wallis 10/1
3 RAINBEAM H Beasley Bobby Renton Mrs L Brotherton 5/1
4 PERSPEX Mr C Vaughan James Murphy Ire Mr P Cashman 100/7
5 HAPPY ARTHUR Stan Mellor J Oliver Major A C Gibson 100/8
6 BREAKERS HILL J Babston J Cullen Ire Mrs A Masters 20/1
7 CROWNHILL W E Fisher W Fisher Mrs I R Miller 25/1
8 GRECIAN GRANITE P Jones W Marshall Mr C Allen 100/9
9 SUPER FOX David Mould Peter Cazalet HM Queen Mother 100/9
10 PERSIAN SIGNAL A Redmond P Norris Ire Mrs J C Brady 4/1 fav
11 TOBAGO D Nicholson H Nicholson Lord Safton 100/8
12 RAINFORD E Campbell E Cousins Mr E Cousins 100/8
13 POGGIO A Biddlecombe Kilpatrick Mr H Tanner 100/8
14 SNAKESTONE Johnny Haine C Taylor Mr C G Palmer 20/1
15 CHOUCHOU II Michael Scudamore C Carpenter Mrs G R Lewis 25/1
16 OOU-DE-BEE Mr T Bishop T Bishop Mr T G Bishop 25/1
17 KINGTON DOME Mr G Pitman F Akerman Mr J Akerman 25/1
18 CLEAR STRAIGHT G McNally Toby Balding Lt-Col J A Redman 25/1
19 YOUNG MASON Jeff King Gordon Mason Mrs R M Mason 25/1
20 CARRY ON Fred Winter L Dale Mr N Cohen 100/8
F FLAMING TOY Palmer J W West Mr J W West 100/9
        Over round 157%
This race was staged on Friday 6th March 1964 when Do or Die beat Coral Cluster and Rainbeam by 1 1/2 lengths and a short head