Smurfit to end Champion backing

Published: 10 March 2010

Smurfit Kappa are to end their backing of the Champion Hurdle which they have sponsored since 1991.

Next week's running of the feature on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival will be the last under the banner of the paper packaging group.

Gary McGann, the firm's group chief executive, said: "The Smurfit Kappa Group is pleased to have fully honoured its sponsorship commitment to the Champion Hurdle. We have enjoyed the excellent working relationship with the Cheltenham management team and wish them every success in finding a suitable sponsor for this famous event."