Time for 'The Queen Mum Gold Cup'

"It would be wonderful if the memory of such a thrilling race could be perpetuated. I was only just watching a film recording of the event last night and it brought it all flooding back to me."

More support for the idea comes from Bill Smith, one of the Queen Mother's jockeys. He rode 65 winners for her in the famous colours of light blue and buff with black cap and golden tassel.

Now 53 and the boss of Kelanne Stud at Hambledon in Hampshire, the ex-rider, who chalked up 501 successes in an 18-year career said: "I could not agree more that the Queen Mum should be remembered in the title. She loved the Whitbread, it was the highlight of her racing year.

"She was a great friend of Colonel Billy Whitbread and I recall we all had a special dinner at his Chelsea flat after she had won the race with Special Cargo. I will always remember the race because I picked the wrong one and partnered Diamond Edge instead of Special Cargo, but it was ever so close at the end - a wonderful race to have ridden in and a wonderful result for Her Majesty. She felt it was a great honour to win it, and it would seem right that she continues to be associated with it's name."

Kevin Mooney, the jockey who did get the winning ride on Special Cargo, backs his ex-colleague. Mooney, 48, and now assistant trainer to Barry Hills, rode 19 winners for the Queen Mother.

He said: "I would definitely go along with her being part of the title. The race gave her such a thrill and it would be nice to know she will forever be associated with it. I remember her being ecstatic about the victory, but it was just like her to be sorry there should have to be a loser. Most racegoers didn't know which of Diamond Edge, Lettoch or us had won it, but I knew Special Cargo had got there and that's why I punched the air."

Attheraces made an astute choice of supporting the highlight, which is effectively the last high-class race in the jumping calendar. Not only did the Queen Mother's Special Cargo cover the trip in record time, but it was the closest finish in the Whitbread's history, which stretched back to 1957.

Another attraction about the contest, which features the formidable jumps over the 'railway stretch' on the far side of the course and the Pond Fence obstacle, is that it draws horses aiming for consolation after running in the Aintree Grand National.

This year's staging will probably see National runner-up What's Up Boys taking part. Trainer Philip Hobbs said: "What's Up Boys obviously had a hard race in the National and was very tired afterwards, but he is okay now. The attheraces Gold Cup is a possibility."

Of course, there is the magnificent bronze statue of Special Cargo at Sandown which was unveiled by the Queen Mother last March and the Champion Chase which carries her name at the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival. But there seems to be an excellent case for her to be remembered at one of London's favourite racecourses in an event which was undoubtedly her most loved.

Marketing budgets and high-profile image are an important part of a company's publicity programme, but although there are only 18 days to go to the renewal, it would surely not be too difficult a task to come up with a suitable appendage to the race title.