@bonhams1793 @CheltenhamRaces Bonhams renews sponsorship of point-to-point series culminating in final at Cheltenham

Cheltenham Racecourse is delighted to announce that Bonhams has renewed its sponsorship of the Men's Open Point-to-Point Series, which culminates at Cheltenham's Hunter Chase Evening on April 30, 2014.

Bonhams, a privately-owned British auction house which is one of the oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques, first backed the series in 2013.

In a change to last year, the list of qualifying races has been increased to 20 (from 15), beginning at Silverton's fixture at Black Forest Lodge in Devon on January 12.

The final is run over an extended three and a quarter miles with a total prize fund of £7,500 for five-year-olds and upwards which, during the current season and prior to April 24, 2014, have won a Men's Open Point-to-Point, or have been placed first, second or third in a Bonhams-sponsored Men's Open Point-to-Point Qualifier.

Last year's race was won by the prolific point-to-point winner Doctor Kingsley, trained at Chipping Warden in Northamptonshire by Pauline Harkin and ridden by Pete Mann.

David Johnson, Bonhams Head of Marketing in Europe, said: "We are delighted to renew our sponsorship of the nationwide Men's Open Point-to-Point Series.

"The championship sits naturally alongside our thriving network of offices across the UK, which offer both world-class expertise on your doorstep and direct access to the international fine art market.

"The past 12 months was Bonhams best ever year, and we anticipate some equally thrilling results in the qualifiers and the series final at Cheltenham!"

Lucy Tucker, Executive of the Point-to-Point Authority, added: "We are absolutely delighted to be working hand-in-hand with Bonhams once again this season.

"Pointing is a popular sport and it is made even more so when associated with prestigious names such as Bonhams. We have Aga sponsoring the Women's series and with Bonhams backing the Men's series it means we have two wonderful sponsors. We are truly tickled pink.

"Bonhams have been brilliant to work with and Cheltenham provides the perfect venue for the culmination of the series on April 30."

SCHEDULE OF BONHAMS GENTLEMEN'S OPEN POINT-TO-POINT SERIES RACES 2013-14

Races will take place as follows:

Area	Meeting	Course	2013/ 2014
D&C	Silverton	Black Forest Lodge	12 January 2014
N	Jedforest	Friars Haugh	26 January 2014
W	South Dorset	Milborne St Andrew	02 February 2014
WM	Albrighton	Chaddesley Corbett	09 February 2014
N	Dumfriesshire & Stewartry	Overton	09 February 2014
W	Countryside Alliance Club (Wessex)	Badbury Rings	23 February 2014
SM	Kingston Blount Racing Club	Kingston Blount	08 March 2014
EA	Suffolk	Ampton	09 March 2014
SWM	Curre & Llangibby	Howick	16 March 2014
Y	Holderness	Dalton Park	16 March 2014
WBC	South Herefordshire	Garnons	16 March 2014
N	Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire and Eglinton	Overton	22 March 2014
SAND	Hampshire	Hackwood Park	23 March 2014
N	Berwickshire	Friars Haugh	29 March 2014
SE	Southdown & Eridge	Godstone	30 March 2014
NW	Cheshire Forest	Tabley	06 April 2014
WBC	Ludlow	Bitterley	12 April 2014
NW	North Staffordshire	Sandon	19 April 2014
SM	Kimblewick	Kimble	19 April 2014
D&C	Four Burrow	Trebudannon	21 April 2014
	Cheltenham Final		30 April 2014