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 1973 Handicap 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 PARTHENON David Mould Thomson Jones Sir R Macdonal-Buchanan 7/2 fav
2 SILKSTONE E Jones Steve Norton Mr J Thompson 10/1
3 NEW CHAIRMAN Ron Atkins Jeremy Speid-Soote Mr J Goldsworthy 25/1
4 WHISPERING GRACE P Buckley Neville Crump Mr S Green 9/2
5 WATCH NIGHT D Briscoe Rex Carter Mr P Rackham 14/1
6 DRAKES GOLD N Wakley John Thorne Mr R Hirst 15/1
7 ATHLETE Richard Pitman Richard Head Lord Pembroke 16/1
8 GIPSY BOY R R Evans Fred Rimell Mrs M Hornby 16/1
9 DARCON P Jones Les Kennard Mrs M Hambro 20/1
10 COPPER CANYON R F Davies W Whiston Mr J Rowley 20/1
11 WILLOW HOUND Jimmy Fox G Vallance Mr J MacGregor 20/1
12 AMBER KNIGHT Tommy Carberry Paddy Mullins Ire Mr R Rooney 20/1
13 SAINT ALI Richard Rowell M Goswell Mr B Weller 20/1
14 MERRY MAKER Mr Anthony Mildmay-White David Barons Mr Anthony Mildmay-White 25/1
15 DRY ICE Jimmy Suthern O O'Neill Mr D Runiciman 25/1
16 MILECIPTIC Reg Crank F Dale Mr F Dale 25/1
17 WICK LANE Mr D Weaver W Swainson Mr H Haines 33/1
18 STEPHERION F McKenna S Matthews Mr S Matthews 33/1
19 PANTARAXIA A Branford Fulke Walwyn Mr J Joseph 33/1
20 ARCTIC IDLER Johnny Haine Toby Balding Mr R Hillman 33/1
21 IRRIUM B Brogan Reg Hollinshead Mr A Bray 33/1
22 BLACK JUSTICE Paul Kelleway L Dale Mr R Cohen 33/1
23 TERN ERAN Mr R Smith Les Kennard Mr M Holloway 33/1
24 EVEN DAWN Ron Hyett Mrs E Gaze Mrs E Gaze 33/1
25 JOURNALIST Tim Norman A Kilpatrick Mr M Beckett 33/1
        Over round 142%
This race was staged on Wednesday 14th March 1973 when Parthenon beat Silkstone and New Chairman by 3 lengths and a head