**** Drop Cheltenham Spon

I obviously mean the Irish company who used to sponsor Sunderland, the Irish Guineas and now the 2 day meeting at Cheltenham in December.

Why do you think it was the sponsor that dropped the handle?  Cheltenham didn't put up a fight did they?  Their sponsorship director made refernce to Bula not being recognised by the new generation of racegoers.

Anyway, to answer your question - NO!

But wasnt the International title given because it was the Spoilsports International. Similar to the greyhound race they have at Dundalk.

I dont know why racing are so keen to lose handles given to races. In football we still have the Jules Rimet, in rugby we have the Lance Todd, in golf we have the Ryder Cup etc... Horses like Bula help get people interested in racing, find out more about them and learn from it.

Would be brilliant if the new sponsorship went back to calling the race the X Bula Hurdle. After all its their money afterall.

You won't find many disagreeing with that, dl.

The Jules Rimet trophy hasn't been up for grabs since 1970 when Brazil earned the right to keep it after winning their third World Cup.
I also hope the race will revert to its original title.