888sport to sponsor Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting

888sport is the new Official Betting Partner of Cheltenham’s two-day Showcase meeting, the track’s opening fixture of the 2021/22 season.

As fans return to the Home of Jump Racing for the new season, 888sport will sponsor four races across the meeting.

Friday’s card features the 888sport What’s Your Thinking Novices’ Hurdle and 888sport Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, while Saturday’s line-up is headlined by two 888sport-sponsored Handicap Chases at 14.20 and the feature race of the day at 15.30.

The online betting company has also signed former jockey Barry Geraghty as its horse racing ambassador in the UK and Ireland, with the legendary Irishman providing views and insight around the season’s biggest fixtures, as well as sitting down for feature-length interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport.

Kieran Spellman, VP Head of Sport at 888sport, said: “The Showcase meeting at Cheltenham is seen by many as when the National Hunt season really kicks off and it’s fantastic that we are now the  Official Betting Partner. It’s even more special that this will be the first time in more than 18 months that racegoers will be in attendance at, what many regard, as the home of National Hunt racing.

“We are expanding our presence in horse racing in both Britain and Ireland and, along with this new sponsorship, we have signed one of the sport’s greatest ever jockeys in Barry, who will provide great insight and knowledge to racing fans on both sides of the Irish Sea.”

Barry Geraghty, horse racing brand ambassador for 888sport in the UK and Ireland, said: “I’m really excited to have signed with 888sport ahead of the new Jumps season and I’m looking forward to offering my views on all the big talking points over the next few months.

“The Showcase meeting at Cheltenham is when the season really gets going and I can’t wait to be there – it will be the first time I’ve been racing at Prestbury Park since retiring in March 2019.”

Jack Royle, Regional Head of Partnerships for The Jockey Club West, said: “The Showcase is always an exciting meeting for us as we open our gates once again after the summer break. We’re delighted to be working with the team at 888sport and are pleased to have them on board as our Official Betting Partner of the two day meeting.”

Ahead of the Showcase meeting, 888sport will release a season preview with superstar trainer Henry de Bromhead, who sat down with Geraghty to discuss his plans for superstars like Honeysuckle, Minella Times and Bob Olinger.