New charity race at Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham have announced that a Ladies-only charity flat race will take place on Ladies Day at the Festival next March, Thursday 18.

The race will be run after the six scheduled races on that day, and will raise money for Cancer Research UK, which is this season's chosen charity on Ladies Day. Georgie Browne, the Official Ambassador for Ladies Day, will be one of the riders taking part in the race.

Georgie, partner of champion trainer Paul Nicholls and regular work rider on dual Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Master Minded, said: "I am thrilled to be the Ladies Day Ambassador for 2010 and riding in a flat race will be one of the highlights of what I am sure will be a memorable day."

Applications are now being invited for the one mile five furlong flat race, with a maximum field of 12 runners, open to any Lady riders, licensed or not, each of whom is required to raise a minimum of £5,000 in sponsorship.

Participants are required to provide their own mount that must have run at least twice under the recognised Rules of Racing. Applications close on January 15, 2010.

Cheltenham's Managing Director, Edward Gillespie, said: "This is an exciting addition to Ladies Day at The Festival for this season, which we hope will raise a significant sum of money for a worthy cause."

"It is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Lady riders to take part in the special atmosphere at The Festival. Let's hope a well-known face or two might be tempted to take part."