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 1966 Handicap 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 HARVEST GOLD J Fitzgerald T Robson Mr T Marshall 5/1
2 ROMAN SCANDAL G W Robinson Fulke Walwyn Lady Derby 10/1
3 ELOPED David Nicholson H Nicholson Mrs O Preston-Jones 10/1
4 TEN PINS S Rooney Fred Rimell Mrs J Brutton 100/8
5 WILD NETTLE Andy Turnell A Perrett Mr P Perrett 25/1
6 CASTLE KEVIN H Beasley Toby Balding Mr W A Smith 25/1
7 SOLABRA G Scott Neville Crump Lady Joicey 25/1
8 REGAL JOHN Josh Gifford H Ryan Price Mr H L Vickery 4/1
9 RISKY Mr B Trafford B Trafford Mrs B Trafford 10/1
10 BEAU NORMAND Jeff King Bob Turnell Mr H Joel 100/8
11 ASHBURN Paul Kelleway H Ryan Price Lady Weir 100/8
12 PRAEPOSTOR Stan Mellor K Bailey Mrs R H Russell 100/7
13 MIDAS Mr John Lawrence Fred Winter Mrs Alexa Metcalf 100/6
14 KEY OF LAUGHTER P McCarron Wes Hall Mr Clifford Nicholson 20/1
15 TAMBLUSH D Atkins

J Yeomans

 Mr J Harvey Loyners 20/1
16 WILD SUNSET N Wilkinson R Cross Mrs J G Struthers 25/1
17 NOSEY Terry Biddlecombe George Todd Mr P J King 3/1 fav
18 AVOPETOS T M Jones L S Dale Mr D W Jackson 25/1
19 BROGUE Tim Norman C Nesfield Mrs A B Rutherford 25/1
20 COPPERLESS R Atkins A S Neaves Mr A S Neaves 25/1
        Over round 163%
This race was staged on Wednesday 16th March 1966 when Harvest Gold beat Roman Scandal and Eloped by a short head and 5 lengths