OWNERS of a Chaddesley Corbett hotel will take more than a passing interest in the fortunes of a racehorse - as it has been named after them.

When members of a horse-owning syndicate descended on Brockencote Hall for breakfast, they were still stumped for a name for the 17 hands-high chestnut horse they had bought.

The group was all set for a day out at this year's Cheltenham Festival when Joseph Petitjean - who with his wife, Alison, owns Brockencote Hall - walked into the room.

With the Petitjeans' surname translating into English as Little John, the horse owners thought that would be a good name for their acquisition.

One of them, Lesley Field, said: "It was one of those flashes of inspiration that provided the answer we had been seeking individually for ages.

"We all agreed on Petitjean immediately. We're sure that being named after such affable hosts as Joseph and Alison Petitjean would bring us luck and, of course, if he does go on to win the Grand National - or any other major race for that matter - where better to celebrate the win than here at Brockencote Hall."

The equine Petitjean is said to be doing well in training and it is planned he will start his racing career in point-to-points, beginning to run under National Hunt rules in late 2005 or early 2006.

"We're going to watch his career with interest of course and we hope he'll mature into a winner," said Mr Petitjean, "but we know better than most that the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

"We wish him and the owners the best of luck as they prepare Petitjean for an exciting National Hunt career."