Racing returns to Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, Friday, 1 January, with one lucky Paddy Power customer set to begin 2021 by becoming a millionaire.
The G3 Paddy Power Millionaire Handicap Chase (1.55pm) is one of four races on New Year’s Day supported by Paddy Power. It is the culmination of a six-week campaign, during which Paddy Power online customers who have backed winners of a designated Saturday race have gone into a draw the following Monday, which is broadcast live on social media.
Each weekly draw winner gains £10,000 and a “Golden Ticket” which will randomly assign them a runner in the Paddy Power Millionaire Handicap Chase. The sixth winner was drawn on Monday evening from those who backed Saturday’s Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle winner, Not So Sleepy. Winners so far have included one customer who had recently had his golf clubs stolen, one nan working overtime at Argos for Christmas, and a very happy punter who was celebrating her 40th on the day of her weekly win.
The Paddy Power Millionaire Handicap Chase has a maximum field of 17 runners. In addition to the current weekly winners, two horses in the final field will also be allocated to Paddy Power retail customers and one to members of the Paddy Power Rewards Club. Any remaining runners will then be allocated by means of a wildcard draw. For full terms and conditions, please go to https://news.paddypower.com/horse-racing
The person who is assigned the successful horse in the Paddy Power Millionaire Handicap Chase scoops the £1 million prize, while the rest walk away with the £10,000 each.
In addition to the above competition, Paddy Power has also added to the value of the Paddy Power Millionaire Handicap Chase to make it a £50,000 contest. There is prize money down to sixth place and all unplaced horses will receive £500 in appearance money, reflecting the company’s long-term strategy of investing at the heart of the action.
Paddy Power himself, said: “The past 12 months have been very tough for so many people, so Paddy Power is happy to step in at the very beginning of the new year and play the Willy Wonka role.
“As well as automatically winning £10,000 each weekly winner gains a Golden Ticket and one lucky customer will become a millionaire shortly after 2.00pm on New Year’s Day. What a way to start 2021!”
Entries for the seven races on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham will be available after noon on Boxing Day, Saturday, 26 December, with final declarations at 10.00am on Wednesday, 30 December.
Cheltenham – New Year’s Day, Friday, 1 January, 2021
Time Title Distance Prize Money
12:10pm Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Listed) 2m 4½f £15,750
12:45pm Paddy Power Handicap Chase 3m 2½f £18,500
1:20pm Paddy Power ‘Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021 2m 4½f £25,000
1:55pm Paddy Power Millionaire Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m 4½f £50,000
2:30pm Paddy Power ‘74 Sleeps To Cheltenham’ Handicap Hurdle 3m £20,000
3:05pm Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle Race (Grade 2) 2m 4½f £35,000
3:35pm Cheltenham Pony Club Standard Open NHF Race (Listed) 1m 6f £15,750
If you need any information about racing at Cheltenham, please contact
- Grant Rowley - Communications Lead (West) M: +44 (0) 7884655990
- Meg Furse - Communications Executive (West) M: +44 (0) 7896076579
