CHELTENHAM CASH CARROT TO ATTRACT IRISH

Irish runners are being offered a healthy cash incentive to take part at Cheltenham`s revamped three-day meeting on November 10th-12th.

All unplaced horses from Ireland that take part at the meeting now known as The Open 2000 will collect travel allowances of at least #700.

The allowances rise to #1,000 for unplaced Irish runners in the three major races at the three-day meeting, the #80,000 Thomas Pink Gold Cup, the #50,000 Intervet Trophy and the #50,000 Open Hurdle.

The scheme means that every Irish runner at The Open 2000 - known in its last incarnation as the Murphys - will receive at least #700. The one race at the meeting where the fourth prize dips below #700 will be made up to that sum.

In another initiative the racecourse is offering a #25,000 bonus to the owner of any horse who wins at The Open 2000 and then goes on to success at next year`s Festival meeting. If more than one horse qualifies the bonus will be shared.

There is also a #25,000 bonus linkingthe newly-instituted Intervet Trophy, a three miles three-and-a-half furlong handicap chase, to the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.