Eleventh Grade 1 Race For Irish National Hunt Festival Punchestown has added a further feather to its cap with confirmation that the Ellier Developments Hanover Quay Champion Novices Steeplechase has been upgraded to Grade 1 status. The race, doubling in prize fund from ?55,000 to ?110,000, will be run over an extended distance of three miles and one furlong race and will boost an extremely valuable programme for Tuesday, April 24th. The Ellier Developments Hanover Quay Champion Novices Steeplechase will provide a fitting seasonal finale for top class staying novice chasers. Several talented chasers have won the Ellier Developments Novice Steelpechase in its previous format including Missed That, Forget The Past and Lord Sam. There are two further Grade 1 races on the opening day card, the feature race being the Grade 1 ?200,000 Kerrygold Champion Steeplechase and the Grade 1 ?110,000 VC Bet Champion Novice Hurdle. The prize fund total for Tuesday, April 24th has now increased to an impressive ?653,000. Delighted to have an additional Grade 1 race to Punchestown's festival programme sheet, Dick O´Sullivan, Manager of Punchestown Racecourse commented 'It is fitting that the Ellier Developments Hanover Quay Champion Novices Steeplechase has become a Grade 1 bearing in mind the calibre of horse that it has attracted over the years. We are delighted to be able to double the prize of this race to ?110,000 with thanks to Chris Jones of Ellier Developments. There are now 11 Grade 1 races on the programme, each worth a minimum of ?110,000. Vibes for the 2007 festival are excellent and sales are way ahead at this point'.Confirming the sponsorship and increased prize fund, Managing Director of Ellier Developments, Chris Jones commented 'We have been involved in this race for10 years and it has always attracted a real quality field. Attaining Grade 1 status is major boost to the race Iam very happyto continue our support of the race. Punchestown is a perfect platform for our sponsorship and I am delighted to use this opportunity to launchourHanover Quaycommercial & residentialdevelopment. On a personal note, Iwouldalso love to have a horse good enough to win the race!The 2007 Irish National Hunt Festival will take place from Tuesday, April 24th to Friday, April 27th
