Bookmakers Paddy Power have agreed to sponsor the Open meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse for a further three years.

The three-day meeting in November is the first major attraction of the jumps season and features a host of top horses, trainers and jockeys.

The deal includes the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Friday's paddypower.com Handicap Chase and Sunday's Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle at the event.

A spokesman for Paddy Power said: "We have sponsored at the Paddy Power Gold Cup since 2003 and our renewal for a further three years will take our successful partnership to 10 years.

"The agreement underpins Paddy Power's continued commitment to racing in a time of adversity for the industry and we're ecstatic to be part of an extremely rare good news story concerning racing sponsorship, bucking the recent trend of so many others pulling the plug on their support. I'm delighted that we will continue to feature at the best racecourse in the world."

Am I Blue landed a monster gamble when running away with the Wyvern Ices Handicap Hurdle at Hereford.

The four-year-old had failed to score on any of her previous 16 starts and had been beaten by 88 lengths when last of 12 on her latest appearance at Worcester. But having been 25-1 in the morning, the Delyth Thomas-trained filly was backed at all rates down to just 5-1 before the off.

Leading jockey Richard Johnson was called up as a late replacement for 5lb claimer Dean Coleman and steered Am I Blue to a 19-length triumph over Northern Lad.

Thomas, who had gone 1,973 days and 44 runners without a winner, said: "I don't know where it's (money) come from – maybe Richard Johnson riding her? I found out Dean was unwell this morning, so I was stuck, but Richard did a marvellous job."

The stewards accepted the trainer's explanation that the improvement in form had been brought about by a change of tactics and some spinal therapy and decided not to hold an inquiry.