NAVAN Racecourse manager Peter Killeen is very excited to have secured a three-year deal with Ecomm Merchant Solutions, new sponsors of the €80,000 Proudstown Handicap Hurdle next Saturday. Killeen believes the three-mile race can develop into a pre-Christmas racing highlight in the coming years.

Ecomm Merchant Solutions is run by local couple Noel and Valerie Moran, who recently sold a similar company named Prepaid Financial Services for €327 million, pocketing €266 million for their share.

Noel Moran said: “We are very happy to be associated with Navan Racecourse which combines nearly 100 years of racing history with one of the most modern facilities in the country.”

Killeen added: “The boost in prize money to €80,000 is sure to attract attention and it is intended to hit the magic €100,000 figure by year three, which will undoubtedly help lead to a very competitive handicap.

“I look forward to working with Noel in maximising the opportunities through sponsorship on what will definitely become one of Navan’s key feature races in the coming years.”