NEWBURY Racecourse has announced a long-term sponsorship partnership with bookmaker Ladbrokes, covering 13 races on both days of its biggest jumps meeting.

The highlight of the two days is the race formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup, a handicap chase over three and a quarter miles.

The value of the race will be increased by 25 per cent to £250,000, with the Ladbrokes-sponsored meeting taking place on Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2 in 2017.

Total prize money during the two days will increase by almost £100,000 to £700,000.

Dominic Burke, chairman of Newbury Racecourse, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ladbrokes as sponsor of our most high profile and popular Jump meeting of the year.

“Ladbrokes has supported many races at Newbury over the years, and we are thrilled they share our ambition to take what is now a superb two-day race meeting to an even higher level, with both days being televised by ITV in 2017.

“We are looking forward enormously to working with the Ladbrokes team on this exciting new partnership, especially given their proven track record of success in elevating the profile of the major races they have supported over the years.”

Jim Mullen, chief executive of Ladbrokes Coral Group, added: “I am extremely pleased and proud that Ladbrokes has reached a deal with Newbury Racecourse and we have made a five-year commitment to sponsor the two-day late November/early December meeting featuring the great steeplechase formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup.

“We have committed to work in partnership with Newbury Racecourse to build the two days of this fixture into one of the most compelling attractions not just in the racing calendar, but in that of sport as a whole.”

Ladbrokes will sponsor 13 of the 14 races over the two days, with the only exception being the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Handicap Steeplechase on the Saturday, which will continue to be supported by the friends of the former commentator.