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 1972 Handicap 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 DRAKES GOLD Howey J Thorne Mr R Hirst 28/1
2 CARRYMUST Graham Thorner A Oughton Lt-Col J Benson 33/1
3 JACTHELOT Sanders David Barons Mrs G Phipps 28/1
4 SKYMAS S Shields B Lusk Ire Mr M Magee 10/1
5 HIGHLAND SEAL T M Jones R Dening Mrs J Dening 16/1
6 PRINCE MOSS Martin Blackshaw E Goddard Miss P Rogers 33/1
7 INDIAN RED Macer Gifford M Marsh Mr M Marsh 100/30 fav
8 SAINT ALL Richard Rowell M Goswell Mr B Welter 16/1
9 KILDRUM T Murphy Paddy Prendergast Ire Mrs K Stewart 18/1
10 BANNONS STAR Terry Biddlecombe Josh Gifford Miss J Weir 20/1
11 HONEST LAWYER J Doyle G Vergette Mr A Cassell 20/1
12 COOL ANGEL Paddy Broderick H Rebanks Mr H Rebanks 20/1
13 IMAGEORDIE Philip Blacker P Upton Mr P Upton 20/1
14 CURRENT THOUGHTS K B White Fred Rimell Mrs W Brown 25/1
15 TAPINA B R Davies David Barons Mr F Miller 25/1
16 DON BORNU G Griffin F Carr Mr T Metcalfe 25/1
17 BANQUO Bill Smith Les Kennard Mrs A Stevens 33/1
18 GLANDFORD BRIGG Mr R Carter R Marvin Mrs M Marvin 33/1
19 PRINCE LIGHTFOOT Colin Tinkler V Thompson Mr V Thompson 33/1
20 BAGOAS C Thomson Jones Thomson Jones Mr Stanhope Joel 33/1
21 AUBAGNE Ron Atkins Alan Jarvis Mr T Bullen 33/1
22 HISTORIANA C Newey D Gandolfo Mr A Wiseman 33/1
23 PANDORANA Len Lungo C Alexander Mrs C Alexander 33/1
24 PRICELESS CLOWN Ron Hyett Mrs Gaze Lt-Comm J Herring 33/1
25 FLYING ROCKET Richard Pitman Richard Hannon Mr K Girling 22/1
26 PINACINTH P Brogan David Chapman Mr Anthony Knowles 33/1
27 PHANTOM SPIRIT M Halesworth N Nutting Mrs N Nutting 33/1
PU GOLDEN RIDGE Marshall P Ashworth Mr K Marshall 16/1
PU CANWORTHY CODE Andy Turnell Michael Scudamore Mrs D Hurdnall-Waldron 14/1
PU HUSKY David Mould G Blum Mr G Blum 12/1
        Over round 152%
This race was staged on Thursday 16th March 1972 when Drakes Gold beat Carrymust and Jacthelot by 4 lengths and 3/4 length