Cook Remembered At Cheltenham

Robin Cook, the late former Labour Foreign Secretary, will be honoured with a race in his memory at Cheltenham on December 10.

The race formally known as the bonusprint.com Gold Cup will this year have backing from totesport and be run as the #110,000 Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup.

'Cheltenham is a place for champions and Robin Cook was a champion of jumps racing and the tote, as well as a steadfast personal friend,' said tote chairman Peter Jones.

'I can think of no better event to be named in his memory and I hope we have a traditional rousing Cheltenham finish that will evoke memories of Robin´s tenacity and battling spirit.' Chris Cook, Robin´s elder son, added: 'On behalf of Gaynor and my brother, Peter, I´d like to thank Peter Jones and the tote for supporting this memorial race.

'I know my Dad would have been thrilled to have a race run in his name, particularly such an important race as this.

'Horse racing was his main interest outside politics for the last 20 years and offered him a priceless escape from the pressure of public life.

'When he was on a racecourse, he was at his most relaxed and happy, and I can´t think of a more appropriate place for his friends to remember him.

'His preference was for jump racing, so there could be no better venue than Cheltenham, where he was a regular visitor from November to March each jumps season.

'A winning bet at Cheltenham always seemed sweeter to him than a win elsewhere.

He´d be very proud to have his name in the racecard there.'

(C) PA Sport