There have only been 15 renewals of the race, with perhaps the most impressive winner last year, when A Plus Tard ran out an impressive 15 length winner for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore.
These days known for his action on the flat, Graham Lee amassed two victories in the race before switching codes, which makes him the joint most successful jockey in the race alongside title chasing Brian Hughes, who’s two victories have came in the last four renewals and there’ll be no doubt, he’ll be hoping for another live chance in 2020.
The two have had their successes on the following horses:
Graham Lee:
L'Antartique (2007)
Divers (2011)
Brian Hughes:
Ballyalton (2016)
Mister Whitaker (2018)
Lee’s two victories were when combining with the late Ferdy Murphy, who is still the only trainer to win the race more than once.
Ferdy Murphy:
L'Antartique (2007)
Divers (2011)
Like with other handicaps at the festival, as time has gone on, the race has required even better horses to win it, no better shown than A Plus Tard’s victory in 2019, who clearly showed he was more than just a handicapper.
When the race began, the first five winners all were successful carrying a weight of under 11 stone however that trend has disappeared in recent years, with six of the last seven winners carrying at least 11 stone, 7 lb and it may be worth looking at that coming into the 2020 edition.