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 1971 Handicap 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 TAPINA B R Davies Barons Mr F Miller 13/2
2 HIGHLAND SEAL T Jones R Dening Mrs J Dening 7/1
3 CARRYMORE D Nicholson David Nicholson Lt-Col J Benson7/1
4 GRANGE GYPSY M Salaman M Williams 7/1
5 BAVARD Richard Rowell Miss Auriel Sinclair 9/2
6 SKIPPIN B Lawson H Willis 10/1
7 FESQUE A Jarvis A Jarvis 12/1
8 ROUGE AUTUMN K B White Fred Rimell 4/1 fav
9 GOUROCK Johnny Haine Bob Turnell 6/1
        Over round 120%
This race was staged on Wednesday 14th April 1971 when Tapina beat Highland Seal and Carrymore by 1 lengths and a length