Four join Cheltenham hall of fame

Martin Pipe, David Nicholson, Desert Orchid and Best Mate

Four racing greats are to be honoured by being the first new entrants for nine years to Cheltenham racecourse's hall of fame.

Martin Pipe and David Nicholson are remembered for their training feats, and will join Gold Cup heroes Best Mate and Desert Orchid.

Cheltenham managing director Edward Gillespie said: "We felt the time was right to add some names to the list.

"They all richly deserve their place among the greats.

"Martin Pipe not only redefined the training of jump horses, he also won more races at Cheltenham than any other trainer in history.

"David Nicholson was a giant of jump racing - as a jockey, a trainer and also as a mentor to many of the biggest names in the sport today.

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"Desert Orchid's improbable victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup of 1989 would make any shortlist of the greatest jump races ever.

"And Best Mate's brilliant record at Cheltenham and the extraordinary public reaction to his passing, makes his inclusion a formality."

There will be a ceremony in the winner's enclosure before racing on Tuesday 13 March, the first day of the 2007 Cheltenham Festival, to honour the new inductees.

Nicholson died in 2006. Racing also lost Dessie, and Best Mate the year previously.

Pipe quit training last year, but has helped his son David successfully take over the reins at the family's Somerset yard.

The 12 existing Hall of Fame members are: Golden Miller, Sir Ken, Fulke Walwyn, Fred Winter, Sir Peter O'Sullevan, Michael Dickinson, Arkle, Dawn Run & Jonjo O'Neill, The Rimells, The Queen Mother, Dick Francis, Vincent O'Brien.