The handicap chase, due to be run at Newton Abbot on Monday, the day after the Euro 2024 final, has been given its optimistic title by sponsor Matt Bailey, who runs in the Par Inn in Cornwall
A pub landlord has taken a long range punt on England winning Euro 2024 by naming a horse race congratulating the team.
Matt Bailey, landlord of the Par Inn in Cornwall, is a long-time sponsor at Newton Abbot racecourse, usually by adding the pub’s name to the race title.
But this time he has sponsored two races on Monday’s card, naming the second the Well Done England Euro Champions 2024 Handicap Chase – before England have even played their semi-final against the Netherlands.
Bailey, a keen racing fan, wanted to conjure up some “good vibes” for Gareth Southgate’s men ahead of Wednesday’s match and then the potential final, and is pinning his colours to the mast early in predicting Harry Kane will lift the trophy in Berlin on Sunday.
Bailey’s Nostradamus act has already garnered interest in the world of racing and the landlord is hoping the Three Lions can use his confidence as inspiration to bring home the Euro 2024 trophy.
He said: “Normally all the races I sponsor will have Par Inn in them, but I thought let’s push the boat out and see how we go.
“I wanted people to know after Wednesday really, but we obviously had to put the race name in before then and it’s a case of fingers crossed now.
“It will be lovely if Gareth Southgate does his team talk on Wednesday, or even Sunday and says Matt from the Par Inn has sponsored a race in our name and we’ve got to go prove him right.
“I wouldn’t say it’s home and hosed but I’m keen for us to have some good vibes – we’ve not played well so far and hopefully this is something good to think about.”
He went on: “If it comes in then I’m a genius and if it doesn’t, it’s something we can all have a laugh about.
“We just wanted to have a bit of fun and it’s a bit of publicity for the pub, it shows we’re out there and it’s just fun.”
Racing mad Bailey is in his 15th year of sponsoring races at Newton Abbot, building up a fine association with his local racecourse.
“I would argue, as pubs in Cornwall go, we’re the most dedicated racing pub. We have racing on everyday, we have people in watching everyday and Cheltenham week is my biggest week in the pub every year.
“Perhaps if England win, Gareth and the lads can join me at Newton Abbot to present the trophy with their trophy!”
