Horse Racing: Cheltenham Gold Cup shows its worth to tune of £500,000

The totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup will be worth £500,000 for the first time when it is run on 18 March, 2011. It is an increase of £25,000 on last season's running, while the Ryanair Chase has also risen in value by £10,000, taking it to £260,000.

Cheltenham's managing director, Edward Gillespie, said: "The totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most important race of our season, and we are delighted that it will become the first ever 500,000 race run at Cheltenham. The race has been enthusiastically supported by the Tote since 1980 and, in that time, has produced some of the most memorable moments in jumps racing's rich history.

"A further increase in the value of the Ryanair Chase is also terrific news, especially as this is a race that has blossomed under the Ryanair banner."

Trevor Beaumont, chief executive of totesport, said: "We are thrilled to reach this historic prize-money landmark for our most significant sponsorship. Our relationship with the team at Cheltenham is excellent and for us to be backing the first 500,000 race at the home of Jump racing is something of which the totesport team is very proud."

Michael O'Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, added: "Ryanair flies more people to The Festival than any other airline and we are delighted to support the Ryanair Chase, which continues to go from strength to strength."

Meanwhile, last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle runner-up Get Me Out Of Here will carry top-weight in The Ladbroke tomorrow - if the meeting survives the weather.

Jonjo O'Neill's six-year-old has failed to fire in two starts this season but was well suited by the hurly burly of the totesport Trophy in February.

Nicky Henderson's ante-post favourite Aegean Dawn will be defending an unbeaten record but he may find life tougher off a 16lb higher mark.

Henderson also runs Oscar Whisky, a smart novice last term who finished fourth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Alan King's Mille Chief has been attracting interest throughout the week after chasing home Aegean Dawn last time out and will be joined by stablemate Salden Licht.

Bothy, narrowly touched off by Menorah in the Greatwood Hurdle, represents in-form Brian Ellison along with stable companion Palomar.

John Quinn's Recession Proof, Michael Smith's Grade One-winner Orsippus and Karen McLintock's Bygones Of Brid also represent northern interests, while the sole Irish challenger is John Hanlon's classy Luska Lad.

David Pipe runs Notus De La Tour, Paul Nicholls has declared Toubab (due to run today), Tito Bustillo and Advisor and Philip Hobbs has Nearby, Oldrik and Karasenir among the maximum 21-runner field.

Emma Lavelle's Tocca Ferro and Tom Cooper's Son Amix are notable absentees.