Press Releases
Fergal O’Brien gives update on Matchbook Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle contender, Benny’s Bridge
Fergal O’Brien is looking forward to running Benny’s Bridge in the Matchbook Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park this Saturday.
Last year, Matchbook doubled the bonus for any horse to win both Sandown’s Imperial Cup and any race the following week at the Cheltenham Festival from £50,000 to £100,000.
The bonus remains at £100,000 for this year in a bid to attract owners and trainers to Matchbook’s handicap hurdle, worth £75,000, on March 9 and persuade winning connections to go on to Prestbury Park. A total of 26 entries have been made for Saturday’s feature with a maximum field of 22 allowed.
Talking about the six-year-old gelding who was last seen when winning at Cheltenham on trials day, O’Brien said:
“Benny’s Bridge was very impressive in his first handicap at Cheltenham on trials day.
“He ran over two miles and it looked like a very good bit of placing but I can assure you there was an awful lot of luck involved!
O’Brien added:
“We were disappointed when he got beaten the time before at Market Rasen. The handicapper gave him a mark of 119 and he has gone up to 126 now and I think the handicapper has still been very fair with him. We are looking forward to running him at Sandown Park in the Imperial Cup.
Talking about Benny’s Bridge future plans, O’Brien said:
“If he runs well there (Sandown Park) we will see about Cheltenham and where he goes next. Sandown is his next mission and I think he will handle the track and he goes on any ground and is very versatile.
“The important thing with him is a fast run two miles, so hopefully he will get that, and he will run well.”
Speaking about the bonus, Matchbook’s CEO Mark Brosnan, said:
“We are excited to invest £100,000 in our continued commitment to British racing and support of The Jockey Club, doubling the previous bonus we brought back to the Imperial Cup in 2017.
“We look forward to seeing some Cheltenham contenders at Sandown Park on what is a fantastic day in the lead up to the festival.”
A bonus was first introduced in 1992 and was reinstated last year after the 2016 Imperial Cup was not sponsored.
The last horse to lift the bonus was David Pipe’s Gaspara, who took the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle three days after scoring at Sandown in 2007.
Confirmed entries for the Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle:
All Yours (FR), Ar Mest (FR), Benny’s Bridge (IRE), Blu Cavalier (GB), Call Me Lord (FR), Chti Balko (FR), Dream du Grand Val (FR), Extra Mag (FR), Fin And Game (IRE), First Flow (IRE), Flashing Glace (GB), Havana Hermano (IRE), Leoncavallo (IRE), Magic Dancer (GB), Malaya (FR), Monsieur Lecoq (FR), Our Merlin (GB), Prairie Town (IRE), Pyromaniac (IRE), Solomon Grey (FR), Sparkleandshine (IRE), Speredek (FR), Storm Rising (IRE), Totterdown (GB), West To The Bridge (IRE), Winston C (IRE)
About Sandown Park and Matchbook:
Sandown Park is part of The Jockey Club which stages thrilling sporting occasions including The Randox Health Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival and The Investec Derby. Millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences we offer through racing, music, food and entertainment. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny we make goes back into British Racing to help the sport thrive. We were founded in 1750 and today we are the largest commercial group in Britain’s second-biggest spectator sport, operating 15 racecourses nationwide, The National Stud, Jockey Club Estates, Jockey Club Catering, Jockey Club Live and our charity, Racing Welfare. For more information visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
Matchbook is a peer-to-peer betting exchange designed for smart bettors who want better value, deeper liquidity and exceptional customer service. We’re not the alternative, we’re the difference.
Matchbook is licensed and regulated by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and the UK Gambling Commission.
Latest News
7-Eleven selects Jackpot.com as their official lottery partner
Online Lottery Courier Service Jackpot.com Announces Exclusive Collaboration with 7-Eleven, Inc.
Jackpot.com will serve as the official lottery courier service of 7-Eleven, Inc., initially launching in Ohio and Massachusetts
Jackpot.com – the online lottery courier service that allows consumers to purchase official state lottery tickets on their phone, tablet, or computer – announced today an exclusive collaboration with 7-Eleven Inc., the largest convenience store chain in the world, to serve as their official lottery courier service.
As part of the collaboration, 7-Eleven customers in Ohio and Massachusetts will be able to sign up and play lottery games and scratchers on the Jackpot.com app or website. The program will initially be launched in over 600 7-Eleven and Speedway stores in Ohio and Massachusetts, with a special launch promotion that gives 7-Eleven customers a free lottery ticket on their first deposit by using promo code, “7Eleven”.
“We’re thrilled to work with 7-Eleven, the leading retailer of lottery tickets in the country,” said Akshay Khanna, CEO and co-founder of Jackpot.com. “Leveraging our technology and innovation, we can provide additional convenience for their customers, while adding an additional source of revenue. A true win-win relationship for all.”
By launching in Ohio and Massachusetts in 2023 and 2024, respectively, Jackpot.com aims at adding another avenue for player convenience with one of the most widely recognized brands in the convenience-retailing space. With a presence in Ohio, the nation’s seventh-largest lottery market, and Massachusetts, whose state lottery produced $1.2 billion in net profit for the Commonwealth during the 2024 fiscal year, Jackpot.com’s collaboration with 7-Eleven represents an added layer of accessibility for players.
Jackpot.com remains committed to responsible play and has significantly invested in protocols by allowing customers of legal age to set spend limits and limits on daily deposits, all while providing access to local and national responsible gambling resources, self-exclusion, self-suspension and automated notifications that offer help should problematic behavior be detected. Jackpot.com is also the only lottery courier service to launch with an iCap certification from the National Council on Problem Gambling.
To learn more, visit jackpot.com. First-time users can also download the official Jackpot.com Lottery App on the iOS or Android App Stores, where available.
eSports
The World Esports Summit 2024 Is Here!
The IESF World Esports Summit returns this December to Busan, South Korea. Hosted at the Busan Esports Arena (BRENA) from December 5-6, the Summit will bring together prominent figures from Esports, global brands, government officials, and sports executives for a deep dive into the current Esports trends, its rapid transformations, and future challenges.
This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Not Barriers, Through the Power of Esports,” will highlight the role of Esports in uniting cultures, ideas, and industries. Under the slogan “We Empower Success,” the
Summit provides a great platform for Esports experts to engage in meaningful discussions and sessions, sharing their insights on trends and presenting forward-looking ideas for our industry.
The event, strategically timed at the close of the competitive season, presents a perfect environment for reflection on the year’s biggest events, industry shifts, and the next steps for Esports. Attendees can follow the expert’s perspectives on topics like:
- (R)Evolution in Esports
- East Meets West
- Esports Integrity: The Role of Referees
- The Rise of International Esports Competitions
- (In Korean) Korea’s Secret Sauce etc.
Also, featured at this year’s event are the IESF World Esports Training Camp and the World Esports Referee Academy.
These are very important IESF programs that are aimed at advancing the skills and professional standards of the next generation of Esports leaders.
Join us in Busan for two days designed to inspire, connect, and empower the international Esports community.
Registration for the World Esports Summit is free and open to all interested attendees.
To register, please complete our online registration form: iesf.formstack.com/forms/wes2024_participation_registration
See you in Busan!
eSports
Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo named as key note at ICE Esports Conference
Clarion Gaming has confirmed that Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo, the technology powerhouse behind the success of global brands Stake and Kick will headline the Esports & Games Conference (EGC) taking place on 21 January as part of the ICE Barcelona experience. As a key member of the executive team, Akhil Sarin has been instrumental in securing the high-profile partnerships that have accelerated Stake’s growth, including the Stake F1 team, UFC, Drake, and Premier League Everton FC.
Through these strategic alliances he has amplified Stake’s brand presence at the same time as creating unique, immersive player experiences, in the process setting new industry benchmarks.
Announcing the high profile speaker Will Harding, Head of Esports at Clarion Gaming said: “Securing Akhil Sarin as EGC key note at ICE Barcelona represents a remarkable opportunity for our attendees to gain invaluable insight into cutting-edge strategies in digital and influencer marketing .
“Akhil’s expertise with Stake and Kick.com embodies the forward-thinking, innovative approach that defines the digital marketing landscapes. His participation underscores the calibre of knowledge-sharing that we are committed to delivering at ICE and he is sure to both inspire our attendees and elevate their strategic perspective.”
Looking ahead to ICE Barcelona, Akhil Sarin stated: “Collaborating with Clarion Gaming at ICE Barcelona is an exciting opportunity to showcase Stake’s journey and continued focus on bold partnerships and creative marketing strategies that resonate with audiences.”
He added “The EGC is a vital platform for exchanging transformative ideas and shaping the future of gaming and entertainment. I look forward to discussing Stake’s vision and collaborating with industry leaders to inspire growth and innovation across the sector.”
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