Rachael Blackmore made history in so many ways in 2021, one of which was becoming the first female rider to be Top Jockey at the Cheltenham Festival. We’ve picked out eight horses that look set to be her top rides at this year’s Festival, along with bet365‘s new customer offer where you can get £50 in Free Bets when you bet £10.
HONEYSUCKLE (Champion Hurdle, Tuesday, 3.30pm) 1/2
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Henry De Bromhead has two possible livewires in the Arkle courtesy of Coeur Sublime and Magic Daze. However, as their chances cannot be easily split, it is uncertain which of the pair Blackmore would ride.
There is absolutely no such doubt with HONEYSUCKLE. The queen of the two-mile hurdling division is still unbeaten, with her run now stretching back an incredible 14 starts. That run now encompasses 10 Grade 1s.
Altior’s undefeated streak of 19 races could well come under threat in the near future. Win the Cheltenham and Punchestown Champion Hurdles again this season, for both of which she is a very short price, and next season could bring about a seminal moment for her connections.
Appreciate It may present a bigger and more brutal opponent than in the past, but Honeysuckle is a special mare and can kickstart Blackmore’s Festival.
TELMESOMETHINGGIRL (Mares’ Hurdle, Tuesday, 4.10pm) 5/2
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There will be an hour’s spell next Tuesday which could make or break Blackmore’s Festival.
TELMESOMETHINGGIRL looks set to be a second favourite in as many races, not just for Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead, but for owner Kenneth Alexander as well. Last year’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle heroine has taken a while to find her stride this season, but may arrive at Cheltenham on a perfect wave of improvement.
She romped to success at the Festival last season, while it was no disgrace whatsoever to be trailing in Galopin Des Champs’ wake at Punchestown. She never made an impression on her return in Listed company last November, but put in a much better performance when third to Royal Kahala, conceding that talented rival 5lb.
She will be granted a level playing field here for the first time since her novice days and that could well ensure she is the one to beat.
JOURNEY WITH ME (Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, Wednesday 1.30pm) 5/1
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The unbeaten JOURNEY WITH ME has acquired less of a reputation than last year’s winner Bob Olinger, but there is still cause to believe he could be special.
A point to point winner in November 2020, he followed Bob’s path by winning the same Gowran Park bumper by a massive 13-length margin. He swiftly tormented a very talented maiden hurdle field from the front at Leopardstown.
To put that race into context, the runner-up, Minella Crooner, is now favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, while the third, Kilcruit, is shortening all the time for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after destroying his rivals next time out.
Journey With Me was less visually impressive next time out, but still got the job done when his stable was struggling. He retains a superb chance for Blackmore to begin day two with a flourish.
ENVOI ALLEN (Queen Mother Champion Chase, Wednesday 3.30pm) 20/1
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He might only be an eight-year-old, but careers can fly by even in National Hunt racing. There is already a feeling this could be last chance saloon for ENVOI ALLEN.
It is a warning to all that even a horse who went unbeaten in his first 11 starts under rules can suddenly feel the pinch. The rot began at last season’s Festival when seeking to make it 12 wins on the trot. He took a fall so uncharacteristic on the balance of his previous novice chase form and the Marsh Novices’ Chase went to Chantry House instead.
He subsequently pulled up when potentially still feeling the effects at Punchestown. All was not lost, of course, and he duly won a Grade 2 easily on his return. Yet, just over a month later, open company at the top level proved too much for him and his colours were carried to success by Allaho in the John Durkan.
His Grade Paddys Rewards Club Chase victory at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival raised more concerns due to his weary finishing effort in a touch kick of an event. Now, he is thrown in against three bona fide superstars over two miles and nothing less than his very best will do.
BOB OLINGER (Turners Novices’ Chase, Thursday, 1.30pm) 4/5
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Few would have predicted that BOB OLINGER may only be second favourite for the race he turned up in at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.
It is a serious possibility that he may, however. The Turners Novices’ Chase will almost certainly be his destination, but it remains to be seen if he will be joined there by the mighty Galopin Des Champs.
Willie Mullins’ charge has looked sensational in his two victories so far, but that has served to cast unnecessary shade upon Bob Olinger’s own impressive performances. His jumping has not been quite as sharp as his main market rival’s, but it has largely been very solid and could be seen to better effect granted a stronger pace.
Rachael Blackmore will be keeping Galopin Des Champs well within her sights and given how electric Bob Olinger’s turn of foot was at last season’s Festival, there is every chance we could see him swing by in the home straight.
SHANTREUSSE (Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, Friday 2.50pm) 9/1
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The most open Grade 1 of the week could well prove to be the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. It is a famously unpredictable contest anyway.
SHANTREUSSE does look an excellent chance for De Bromhead and Blackmore regardless. It is a race that requires reserves of stamina more than any other as a three-mile novice hurdle and this son of Shantou may have that in abundance.
He was second to Mr Fred Rogers on debut at Punchestown, but successive starts over three miles have brought the best out of him since the turn of the year. He won a Cork maiden hurdle in fine style on heavy ground, before winning a Clonmel Grade 3 over this trip in similar conditions.
Similar to stablemate Minella Indo, who won this three years ago for Blackmore’s first Grade 1 at the meeting, Shantreusse will head into the race with absolutely no doubts about his stamina. That will stand him in very good stead in this company at this stage of his career.
A PLUS TARD (Cheltenham Gold Cup, Friday, 3.30pm) 5/2
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Honeysuckle may be the apple of her eye, but one would imagine A PLUS TARD will be the horse aboard whom Blackmore is most desperate to win next week.
Despite the immense success she achieved at last season’s Festival, there would have been a bittersweet taste after Friday, where she chased home stablemate Minella Indo when second on this horse. The two will meet again, but revenge will surely be on her mind.
Similarly, it remains a no-brainer fo her to pick the Cheveley Park owned eight-year-old. He stormed to victory in the Betfair Chase on his reappearance and was only caught in the very dying strides by Galvin in the Savills Chase. He retains almighty potential, while her experiences with Minella Indo this season have been far less stellar.
If the Gold Cup were even a furlong shorter, A Plus Tard would be guaranteed favouritism. He is probably the most talented staying chaser in training and Blackmore would love nothing more than for him to go out and show it.
GIN ON LIME (Mares’ Chase, Friday 4.50pm) 9/1
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Word is relatively quiet on GIN ON LIME, whose only Festival entry remains the mares’ chase despite her novice status.
She arrived at Henry De Bromhead’s in October 2020, but after two winless starts, was saved for summer chasing in 2021. She proved a revelation, racking up a hat-trick before a narrow defeat in Grade 3 company at Galway to Fan De Blues.
She rapidly made amends for that next time out before becoming a viral sensation at Prestbury Park last November. In a two-horse race against the much-vaunted My Drogo, she looked destined for second best only for both horses to sprawl on landing at the second last. Harry Skelton could not keep his partnership intact.
Yet, against all odds, Blackmore did. She left there nothing to be surprised about in terms of her talents, picking Gin On Lime up the floor to complete an exceptional triumph. Hopefully, drama of that kind will not be necessary once again.
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