History maker Rachael Blackmore will ride the Henry de Bromhead trained Ain’t That A Shame at the 2023 Grand National.
In 2021, Blackmore made history by becoming the first woman jockey to win the Grand National in the 182-year history of the race. She was riding the JP McManus-owned Minella Times on that occasion and rode the same horse last year, but they were both brought down at the ninth fence.
Minella Times has since retired and Blackmore has moved on but like her 2021 Grand National winner, Ain't That A Shame is also trained by Henry de Bromhead. Follow live Grand National updates here.
The nine-year-old horse registered his first chase success at the seventh time of asking at Gowran Park last month, with the form subsequently boosted when runner-up Macs Charm scored at Fairyhouse on Monday.
Having been as long as 16-1 with some firms on Friday morning, he halved in price by the afternoon, and Blackmore feels he has the right credentials to run a big race in the National.
"Ain't That A Shame has a lovely profile for the race," she told her Betfair blog.
"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."
Speaking further after riding Inthepocket to victory in the Minella Times colours on Friday, Blackmore added: "Everyone who is down at the start is in with a chance, that is the kind of race it is. It is really exciting to be part of it and on such a good horse and I can't wait."
