MCR to Sponsor January Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown Leopardstown Racecourse announced today that MCR Group, the Irish owned specialist service group of companies who employ close to 800 people, will sponsor the January Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) (Formerly the Pierse Hurdle) and the Leopardstown Novice Chase (Grade 2), which will be run on January 10th 2010. The MCR Hurdle with a prize fund of €100,000 is widely recognised as the most competitive handicap hurdle of the year. The 2008 contest saw 'Penny's Bill' take the spoils from Psycho and Carthalawn. Douglas Taylor, Managing Director of MCR Group said: "We have been strong supporters of horse racing in Ireland for many years now and it gives me great pleasure to be associated with these extremely high profile races in 2010." Leopardstown Commercial Manager Ciaran Conroy said: "MCR are a very welcome sponsor for these prestigious races. I would like to pay special tribute to Pierse Contracting Ltd and particularily Chairman Ged Pierse for supporting this race over a long number of years and helping to make it one of the highlights of the National Hunt Season."
