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 1965 Handicap 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 CORAL CLUSTER Terry Biddlecombe R Gandolfo Mr H V Wallis 8/1
2 NO RESTRICTIONS O McNally P Upton Captain F T Fenwick 33/1
3 RIBOBO D Barrott W Stephenson Mrs Derek Hague 20/1
4 BEAU NORMAND Andy Turnell Bob Turnell Mr H Joel 10/1
5 EXHORBITANT David Nicholson Dave Thom Mrs A Ellis 100/6
6 SHURDANI Michael Scudamore P Allingham Mr L A Tranerne20/1
7 CRAIGBROCK G Milburn J Oliver Sir Archibald Edmondstone 13/2 fav
8 UTRILLO T M Jones H Ryan Price Mr J S Gerber 8/1
9 HARVEST GOLD P McCarron T Robson Mr T Marshall 10/1
10 GREAT LARK T S Murphy W O'Grady Ire Mrs H A Watt 10/1
11 THREE NO TRUMPS D Dillon Peter Cazalet Prince Rajsing of Rajpipla 100/8
12 AETHON G Scott Neville Crump Lady Mairi Bury 100/8
13 ALLUREMENT P Pickford J Bissill Mrs H R Marsh 100/7
14 BLUE BLAZES P Powell R A Hoey Ire Mr J F Hoey 100/6
15 DUNKER Stan Mellor F Cundell Major C H Nathan 100/6
16 THE TREATMENT L Major D Yeoman Mr W Morris 20/1
17 BALLYHOOLEY Mr J Johnson Mr J Johnson Mr J Johnson 20/1
18 CUB HUNTING K B White L Jones Mr J P Jones 20/1
19 SONNET II Johnny Haine Hannon Major P V Warren 20/1
20 SUGAR DADDY Eddie Harty Fred Rimell Mr G H Freeman 25/1
21 EASTERN WARRIOR Tim Norman Keith Piggott Mrs E J M Jones 33/1
22 GIVEUS LIGHT Johnny Lehane Bobby Renton Mrs L Brotherton 33/1
23 LUCKY HARRY Macer Gifford Frank Gilman Mr F Gilman 33/1
24 CROWNHILL W E Fisher W Fisher Mrs I R Millar 33/1
25 JAMES EDGAR C Chapman Muggeridge Mr John Tilling 33/1
26 CLYDERS COTTAGE G W Robinson Fulke Walwyn Mr E G James 33/1
27 BLASPHEMY J Morrissey Goodwill Mr H G Copsey 33/1
28 LORD ROBERTS P Cowley W Marshall Sir Peter Curtis 33/1
29 PREPONENT C Searle F Cundell Colonel F W Ward 33/1
30 TOP RISK Brough Scott D Kavanagh Mr R E Kew 33/1
31 APA MACHAM P Mort J Hicks Mr J B Hicks 33/1
F TALADRO P Janet C Taylor Mr J N Milne 33/1
        Over round 177%
This race was staged on Wednesday 10th March 1965 when Coral Cluster beat No Restriction and Ribobo by a neck and 3 lengths