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 1970 Handicap 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 VULMEGAN Stan Mellor Thomson Jones Mr D Steward 100/8
2 ALL FOUND N Wakely Mrs Kennard Mrs E Floyd-Walker 6/1
3 ALBINELLA R Coonan K Bailey Major G Sanderson 100/7
4 ARTOIS Jeff King P Bailey Mr N Cohen 100/7
5 CLEVER SCOT Jimmy Uttley C H Davies Mr H Alper 8/1
6 ESBAN F Shortt P Murphy Ire Mr J Ashmere 10/1
7 TURKS ARROW P Russell Corrie Mr F Thomas 7/1
8 NEW LISKEARD D Cartwright J S Wright Mr M Spedding 100/9
9 ACE Josh Gifford Guy Harwood Mr John Tilling 100/9
10 JACTHELOT B R Davies C H Davies Mrs G Phipps 100/8
11 ANOTHER Graham Thorner Tim Forster Major F Arkwright 100/8
12 ELOPED David Nicholson H Nicholson Mrs O Preston-Jones 100/7
13 ALASKA FORT Dessie Hughes Mick O'Toole Ire Mrs N Nicolls 100/7
14 STUBBS Ron Atkins I Lewis Mrs G Lewis 100/6
15 KING CUTLER Brian Fletcher W Marshall Mrs R Henriques 25/1
16 THE SENTRY K B White Fred Rimell Sir Martin Lindsay 25/1
17 RIGHT NOW John Cook F Cundell Mrs W Greenwood 25/1
18 BRIMFUL R Elliott V Cross Mr John Ismay 25/1
19 CANDID CAMERA David Mould E Goddard Mr R F Ross 25/1
20 ESCABAR Macer Gifford M Marsh Mr M Marsh 25/1
21 FOUR WISHES B W Davies S James Mr R Ellis 25/1
22 LADY UPHAM W Shoemark R Brinkworth Mr R Brinkworth 25/1
23 PAPPA SURPRISE Martin Blackshaw P Evans Mr P J White 25/1
24 PARTLET D Elsworth H Willis Mr J Thomas 25/1
25 RED RUM R Edwards Bobby Renton Mrs L Brotherton 25/1
26 STEPHERION Tim Norman Jack Holt Mr F Vellise 25/1
27 VULPLIANT J Laurie W Francis Mr J McKechnie 25/1
28 MASTER DANIEL R Dennard Peter Cazalet HM Queen Elizabeth II 100/8
F LIGHT READING J Leech M H Easterby Lt-Col J Cookson 100/7
        Over round 189%
This race was staged on Wednesday 18th March 1970 when Vulmegan beat All Found and Albinella by a neck and 5 lengths