Handbags and a bowler hat became Dimmer's trademarks

The man responsible for making sure Cheltenham Racecourse's trophy presentations have run smoothly for the last 45 years is retiring.

The last race at the Hunter Chase meeting on Wednesday May 5 was named in Nigel Dimmer's honour.

"I've tried to make every presentation like a Gold Cup presentation because it means so much to people," Dimmer told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"It's been absolutely wonderful, 40-odd years and so many happy memories."

As well as organising trophies, Dimmer was responsible for placing the sponsor's coat on winning horses and making sure the winning connections all took their places on the presentation podium after each race.

He's a man of many talents Simon Claisse

But it was a task associated with that for which he is most noted, standing on the sidelines holding the handbags of ladies involved in the presentations.

"Bless her, the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother always let me hold her handbag - I've held some lovely handbags!" Dimmer quipped.

Cheltenham's Clerk of the Course Simon Claisse said that after 45 years Dimmer will be difficult to replace.

"He's a man of many talents, making sure that all the presentations go smoothly and all the right trophies are in the right place," said Claisse.

"He seems to be able to find the right people when we need them, as well as holding the handbags!"

"Quite how we're going to manage we don't know, I just have a feeling we might see him about next year, but he is officially retiring."

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