Trainer Clive Cox admits it would be “really special” if Wowzers could taste victory in the Glenn Roeder Race Day Handicap (6f) at Newmarket tomorrow, which is being staged in honour of the late Watford player and manager who died of a brain tumour last year.

Friends and family of the former Leyton Orient, Queens Park Rangers, Notts County, Newcastle Unite, Hornets and Gillingham star will gather at the July Course for the Glenn Roeder Raceday to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Roeder, who after retiring from playing football managed Watford and four other clubs, died from the condition, which he was first diagnosed with in 2003, on February 28 last year aged 65 at his home in Newmarket.

As part of the event, which will be attended by former England international Rob Lee among others, a live auction will take place alongside a silent online auction which features more than 80 lots.

Lots up for grabs include a seven-night Barbados trip for six people, four VIP tickets to a Manchester United home fixture and two tickets for a Robbie Williams gig at the 02 Arena in London in October.

Although Lambourn-based Cox never met Roeder, he is only too pleased to be supporting the event by sponsoring the second race on the card, the Clive Cox Racing Fillies’ Handicap (7f), with the charity being close to his heart.

Cox said: “I never actually met Glenn but I obviously knew of him as a sportsman and a footballer but when I heard about the event I was keen to support it.

“Sadly I lost my father-in-law Tony Lockyer to the condition more than 20 years ago and my cousin Michael Ball, who lives in New Zealand and is a doctor, is currently undergoing treatment for it.

“It means a whole lot to me and it gives me a lot of pleasure being able to associate the charity with racing and to support it.

“I’m very happy to help support any progress for a wonderful charity with like-minded people. I really hope that they have a really productive day raising funds which I’m sure they will.”

Despite not having a runner in the race he sponsors, Cox hopes Wowzers can go one better than last time at Nottingham last time out and get off the mark for the current campaign.

He added: “I wanted to run a filly in the race I’m sponsoring but unfortunately the ground is too quick for her.

“It is nice though to have a runner in Glenn’s race and it would be really special if he were to win that.”