Rachael Blackmore has revealed her hopes for Grand National day, with three runners going on Saturday at Aintree on behalf of trainer Henry De Bromhead.
Blackmore is coming off the back of a successful Cheltenham Festival, where she signed off her partnership with Honeysuckle in style with a win in the Mares' Hurdle on Champions Day. However, she faces a very different test on Saturday, riding the favourite in the Grand National at Aintree.
She became the first female jockey to win the race in 2021, and will go again this year with the aim of holding the rare distinction of being a two-time Grand National winning jockey. Her chances of doing just that appeared to be taking shape on Friday, with her ride, Ain't That A Shame emerging as 8/1 favourite having been heavily backed in.
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Speaking in her role as a Betfair Ambassador, Blackmore explained how she feels the nine-year-old has a good profile for the big race, saying: "Ain't That A Shame has a lovely profile for the race. He was unlucky to be just beaten in the Munster National at Limerick in October, and it wasn't my best day in the saddle when I finished fourth on him in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas."
"But he won nicely at Gowran the last day, and it was no harm that the runner-up came out and won at Fairyhouse there at the weekend.
"You don't really know how a horse will handle the track or the fences until you get out there, but he had a pop over the National fences at The Curragh, and he went well. I'd be confident that he will take to the fences fine.
"He travels well through his races, which is a big help. You're just hoping that you can get into a nice position and find a nice racing rhythm over the first few fences. I am hopeful that he can.
"After that, you never know, it's the Grand National, but he has his chance and I'm very much looking forward to it."
Having become a household name with her win in 2021, Blackmore will be hoping to become a two-time champion on a different horse, after Minella Times retired having failing to reach fitness for this year's race. Blackmore spoke about her win that day as well as how tough winning such a race can be.
She said: "It’s massive. It’s very cool. I have to say coming back here, you get the sense of the crowds and atmosphere, you almost feel a part of it.
"To say you have won a special race like this, there are so many different variables in a race like this and so much is out of a jockey’s control. It is very unique in that sense and exciting to be a part of.
"I love the Grand National. It's a class race, all that goes with it and all the history. It's a great feeling, getting ready for the race again, knowing that I was lucky enough to win it before.
"Nobody expects to win the Grand National. You go there hoping, but you need so many things to fall your way. You only get one shot at most at winning it every year, if you are lucky enough to even get one shot at it, and even when you do, you usually have just one chance in 40 of winning it.
"There's such a buzz in the weighing room, so much anticipation. And when you go out to ride in it, nobody is putting pressure on you. Go out and enjoy yourself."
Before the main race, Blackmore also has two previous race, with both going early in the day to provide a highly competitive warm-up to the climax of the day. Marvel De Cerisy races in the opening race of the day in the Mildmay Novices' Chase before Cool Survivor goes at 3pm in the Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle.
Speaking about her other two rides for the day, Blackmore added: "I ride Marvel De Cerisy in the opening race at Aintree on Grand National day, the Maghull Chase.
"He ran well for a long way in the Magners Plate at Cheltenham, he travelled well to the third last fence. He was just caught tight for room and had his momentum stopped a bit there, and that definitely didn't help.
"He is dropping down in trip to two miles, but he won his maiden hurdle over two miles and a furlong and he probably would have finished second behind Impervious in her beginners' chase at Wexford over two miles in October had he not come down at the final fence.
"He obviously has plenty to find with Jonbon, but he should be suited by the faster pace that they should go over two miles. He is a young horse who has lots of scope to improve."
She continued: "I ride Cool Survivor in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle. I have never ridden him before, but he is a very nice ride to pick up for Gordon and Gigginstown.
"He has to bounce back from his run in the Martin Pipe Hurdle at Cheltenham, when he was sent off as joint favourite, but hopefully he can, because his form from earlier in the season is good.
"He won his maiden and a listed race, and he probably put up his best performance in finishing a close fourth behind Good Land in the Grade 1 two-mile-six-furlong hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival in February. This is a very competitive race, but hopefully he can go well."
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