BOOKMAKERS Betfred have announced they will be sponsoring the Ebor Handicap at York this year for the first time following their purchase of the Tote.

The newly-titled Betfred Ebor, which was first run on the Knavesmire in 1843, is the most valuable handicap run in Europe with a total prize fund of £210,000 and was first sponsored by the Tote back in 1976.

The race will be run for the first time on a Saturday – August 20 – this year and the Betfred Ebor will be the feature race on the final day of the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival.

Mount Athos and Saptapadi currently head the market with the sponsors for the race at 10-1 with the quintet of Blissful Moment, Fox Hunt, Quest For Peace, Tactician and Tuscan Gold all next in the betting at 12-1.

“I’m delighted to be sponsoring the Betfred Ebor for the first time this year and hope that this will be the beginning of a long-standing and fruitful relationship with York Racecourse,” said Betfred chairman Fred Done.

“The Ebor has been one of the cornerstones of the Tote’s sponsorship portfolio for years and I plan to make the race bigger and better than before under the Betfred banner.”

Betfred will also be sponsoring the Betfred Melrose Stakes on the final day of the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival, a race which has grown both in value and stature since the festival was extended to four days.