Back in 2021, Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National as she partnered Minella Times to victory. Well, the top Irish lady rider is back for another crack at the Aintree showpiece and we take a look at who she is riding in the 2024 race on Saturday 13th April.
It’s not only Blackmore that will be fighting out for the ladies and we take a look at the female jockeys bidding for glory in the world’s greatest steeplechase.
Rachael Blackmore – Minella Indo
Henry De Bromhead’s Minella Indo will be the horse Rachael Blackmore rides in the 2024 Grand National and the former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will be a leading contender in this year’s race. A stunning winner of the 2021 Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, Minella Indo may not be able to reach those heights now at the age of 11, but the Irish-trained runner is still a top class performer and is a fascinating contender in this year’s race.
Rated in the mid-to-high 170s at his best, Minella Indo lines up in this year’s Grand National off a mark of 159, so has to be respected, if he can produce his best form, as he lines up in the Aintree marathon for the very first time. Last seen finishing fourth in the Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham back in December, Minella Indo missed the chance to line up at Cheltenham in March, as the Cross Country was abandoned, so he heads to Aintree a fresh horse and has to have the capabilities of giving Blackmore an exciting spin.
Grand National Pinstickers’ Guide – Every Horse Analysed for 2024 Edition
The 2024 Grand National field is now set. It is still a race that draws the attention of the wider public, so for those not so familiar with racing, we have analysed every runner in brief below in our pinstickers’ guide. 1. Noble Yeats (Emmet Mullins/Harry Cobden) 11st 12lb (Trainer/Jockey) (Weight) 2022 winner was fourth…
Thu 11 Apr 2024Gina Andrews – Latenightpass
It’s a real family affair for Gina Andrews, who will get the leg up on Latenightpass in this year’s Grand National. Trained by her husband Tom Ellis and owned by her mother-in-law Pippa Ellis, Latenightpass is set for his first run in the Grand National at the age of 11.
A winner of the 2022 Foxhunters’ Chase at Aintree over the National fences, Latenightpass was fourth in that same race in 2023, so he has significant experience over the unique obstacles and is a fascinating first ride for Andrews, who is still an amateur jockey. A winner of the Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham back in December, where he beat the abovementioned Minella Indo, Latenightpass was last seen having a spin over hurdles at Haydock, but a return to the larger obstacles will bring the best out of him.
Chambard – Lucy Turner
Lucy Turner has already ridden Chambard to victory at the Cheltenham Festival when the pair stormed to a shock 40/1 win in the 2022 Kim Muir Handicap Chase and the deadly duo are back for another crack at a big handicap prize.
Down at the bottom of the weights, the 12-year-old Chambard is a big price to score in this year’s Grand National, but for Turner, who piloted the veteran to eighth in this year’s Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, is bidding for a great spin on the Venetia Williams-trained raider.
A proven stayer, Chambard looks to face an uphill task here, but has shown on his day he can upset the apple cart and he will be looking to challenge for victory here for Turner.
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