FOLKESTONE Racecourse owners Arena Leisure are seeking a sponsor for the inaugural Kent National on Wednesday, February 27.

Although the prize money totals £25,000 prospective sponsors would only need to put up £3,000.

Emma Santer, Folkestone’s commercial manager, is delighted to welcome the Kent National to the National Hunt programme. She is hopeful a Kent company will seize this opportunity to promote their business.

Three-miles seven furlongs around Folkestone’s comparatively easy chase fences on probably good to soft ground, five weeks prior to Aintree’s Grand National and the prize money on offer, should attract top trainers and quality horses.

With that goes high media coverage and hopefully the Kent public will support the day in large numbers. Folkestone intend to make it an annual event if it proves successful.

Rough Quest was the last National winner to grace Folkestone’s turf, in 1997.

The Terry Casey-trained horse won an exciting hurdles race driven home by a determined Mick Fitzgerald.

However, the classiest horse at Folkestone in recent in recent times was champion hurde contender Straw Bear, when ridden to his second victory by Tony McCoy for millionaire owner JP McManus.

Any company interesting in sponsoring the Kent National should contact Emma Santer on 01303 405800 or email emma.santer@folkestone-racecourse.co.uk