Once again racing legend Sir AP McCoy will captain a team made up of jockeys, trainers and some of his famous footballing friends in a football match for the injured Jockeys Fund.

Names from last year include, Alain Cawley, Robbie Dunne, Jamie Bargary, Jamie Moore, Sam Twiston-Davies, Ben Pauling, Lee Hendrie, Darren Byfield and reality star Chris Hughes.

In an exciting development this year, AP McCoys’s XI will take on a Unibet Invitation XI which will comprise players from their numerous racing sponsorship such as Nicky Henderson, Nico de Boinville, Paddy Brennan, Adrian Heskin and Fergal O’ Brien, as well as other sports and high profile ex-players from football clubs sponsored by their partner company 32Red.

Last year’s event, which is the brain child of the indefatigable Chris Coley, raised a staggering £45,000 for the Inured Jockey Fund and the aim is to ensure that figure is beaten this time out.

Jerry Hinds the owner of Stonegate Homes, and numerous horses through his Galloping on the South Downs Partnership, has confirmed they will again sponsor the event and he commented: “We jumped at the chance to get involved with this last year as we are obviously heavily involved in racing and wanted to help raise funds for the IJF.

“Having now been to see the facilities at Oaksey House and understand in greater detail the work they do we are more determined than ever to ensure we raise the figure this time out and are hugely appreciative of Unibet for seeing our vision and wanting to come on board.  On top of that, it is a really good day combining the racing at Cheltenham ahead of the fun, yet competitive football later that evening under lights. Of course the half time penalty shoot-out is also not to be missed and we cannot wait for this year!”

Ed Nicholson, Head of Unibet Racing Sponsorship & Communication said: “Unibet are delighted to be involved in this year’s Floodlit Football match in aid of the Injured Jockey Fund. The IJF does such a tremendous job to improve the lives of injured jockeys and their families, relying upon the goodwill and support of benevolent parties.

He continued: “We hope we can help raise awareness of this event, and the charity itself, through our marketing channels and by helping form a team to play in the match itself. Our company has numerous sponsorships with football clubs and we have been working with the likes of Aston Villa, Derby, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Rangers and Preston North End and approached some famous ex-players from these teams to play in our Unibet Invitation XI, who will be joined by some of our brand ambassadors. It should be a wonderful occasion.”