Burns Pet Nutrition is to be the new sponsor of  the Welsh Champion Hurdle which will be run at Ffos Las on Saturday, February 1, and covered live on Channel 4.

The £50,000 race over two and a half miles was won last year by Medinas who went on to glory at the Cheltenham Festival.

Tim Long, General Manager and Clerk of the Course at Ffos Las, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that Burns Pet Nutrition, not only a fantastic Welsh business that is renowned in its field throughout the British Isles but one that is located just down the road from the racecourse, is to sponsor our most high profile race from this year.

"The 2013 renewal of the Welsh Champion Hurdle was most memorable and we are already looking forward to the big day next month when we will be delighted to welcome our new sponsor to the racecourse.

"The 2013 race was well supported by Welsh trainers, with five of the 14 horses stabled in The Principality - and I'd say it was six because Welshman-in-exile Nigel Twiston-Davies also sent a runner."

Veterinary surgeon John Burns, who founded Burns Pet Nutrition 20 years ago, said: "As a family business proudly based in west Wales, we are the most enthusiastic supporters of our community with a range of sponsorships including the Dogs' Day Out at Pembrey County Park.

"We support lots of local groups and community-based initiatives as well as providing assistance for national organisations such as Hounds For Heroes and numerous animal rescue charities around the UK.

"We are now delighted to become sponsor partners with our local racecourse at Ffos Las which has put horse racing in west Wales firmly on the map over the last five years."

The Welsh Champion Hurdle, which was won by Ffos Las chairman Dai Walters's star horse Oscar Whisky in its first year in 2011, became a limited handicap race last year to increase its competitiveness. Prize-money was also raised by 16% to encourage racehorse owners and trainers to run their horses.

The business is also sponsoring the £30,000 West Wales National which is run on the same day. The three-and-a-half mile steeple chase could see the first appearance by Mountainous since his victory in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow Racecourse at the end of last year. The horse, trained in Herefordshire by Richard Lee, is also owned by Walters in partnership with James and Jean Potter.