New prize for jumps season

LEADING HORSES Retrospective top points scorers based on BHB scheme 2003-04: Rooster Booster 2002-03: Deano's Beeno 2001-02: Fadalko 1999-2000: See More Business

Top National Hunt racehorses will chase a £250,000 bonus as part of a new order of merit for the 2004-05 term.

The award is aimed at recognising consistently good performances in the major races of the jumps season.

A prize of £200,000 goes to the overall champion, plus £50,000 for the top chaser and £50,000 for the top hurdler.

The contest, funded by leading racetracks and the British Horseracing Board, is aimed at encouraging the best runners to more of the big races.

It is being introduced following recommendations in the industry-wide Jump Racing Review.

Horses will collect points according to their finishing positions in most grade one, two and three races.

The series begins with the Totesport Wigan Handicap Chase at Aintree on 24 October 2004, and concludes with the Betfred Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown on 23 April, 2005.

It will be a great platform for jump racing to reach a wider auidence Chris John BHB marketing director

A total of 63 races at 17 courses will be included.

If the award had been in existence last season, Rooster Booster would have been top points scorer.

Cheltemham Racecourse managing director Edward Gillespie, a member of the Jump Racing Review group, welcomed the new series.

"Our aim is to get owners and trainers thinking actively about campaigning their horses regularly in these top events," he said.

"This will be good for the sport, which needs to be highly competitive and attractive for spectators, the media and the betting industry."

Winnings will be split three ways - 75% to the owner, 12.5% to the trainer and the same again to the stable staff.