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 1967 Handicap 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 STEPHERION Bampton Jack Holt Mr F J Vettise 100/9
2 CHANCER P McCarron Wes Hall Mrs A H Hope 9/1
3 CLONROCHE T Kinane T Dreaper Ire Mrs S Flood 10/1
4 ELBERTO Graham Thorner H Payne Mr Sidney Hoddinott 25/1
5 SANDCLOUD T P Walsh M Neville Ire Mr William Kennedy 20/1
6 MASTER BLANDISH Johnny Haine Bob Turnell Mr T W Hewer 100/7
7 MR JORROCKS Macer Gifford Kilpatrick Mrs T F Garratt 20/1
8 MAYFAIR BILL Andy Turnell Bob Turnell Mr H Joel 9/2 fav
9 HAPPY ARTHUR G Milburn J Oliver Major A C Gibson 100/8
10 TIPPERTY Paddy Broderick W A Stephenson Mr W G Willox 100/8
11 TRELAWNY Terry Biddlecombe Fred Rimell Mrs Leonard Carver 100/7
12 PAPPA SURPRISE Jimmy Uttley J Leigh Mr P J White 100/6
13 YUSSEF M Naughton J Pengilley Mr J Pengilley 100/6
14 HENRY ALKEN P Buckley Neville Crump Mrs V McCalmont 100/6
15 SELF RAISING R Edwards R Hobson Mr G Longmate 20/1
16 VICHYSOISE Richard Pitman C Bewicke Lord Chelsea 20/1
17 PHILEMON J Speid-Soote W Marshall Mr S E Hallam 20/1
18 ANOTHER WAVE A W Potts Steve Norton Mrs S G Norton 25/1
19 ACE John Guest Les Kennard Mr John Tilling 25/1
20 MY BEWITCHED A G Hicks R Thomas Mr Rees Thomas 25/1
21 ROSS CLAN Josh Gifford Bobby Renton Mrs L Brotherton 9/1
F HOLDER D Barrott W Stephenson Mrs D Hague 100/8
BD GYPSY REFRAIN Jeff King E Parker Mr G Scudder 9/1
BD WOR GEORDIE Brian Fletcher Denys Smith Mr Roy Baker 25/1
        Over round 167%
This race was staged on Wednesday 15th March 1967 when Stepherion beat Chancer and Clonroche by 4 lengths and a head