CHELTENHAM STAGE NEW STAYING CHASE

Cheltenham will stage the #50,000 Intervet Trophy for the first time this season at The Open 2000 meeting in November, it was announced today.

The chase run over an extended three miles and three furlongs will be run on Saturday November 11th, the middle day of the three-day fixture.

A bonus of #25,000 is up for grabs if the winner of the Cheltenham race goes on to victory in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury two weeks later.

Peter McNeile, commercial manager of Cheltenham, said: 'The Open 2000 from November 10th to 12th is going to be a very exciting meeting and the new Intervet Trophy greatly adds to the Saturday card.

'The high value of the Intervet Trophy means it should be an exciting race in its own right, with the bonus making it an attractive stepping stone to the Hennessy.'

Deborah Baker, marketing manager for Intervet, added: 'We are hoping that, as this is a test of stamina, we may well see the Grand National winner of 2001 in our race or even the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.'