After Rachael Blackmore recorded phenomenal success at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, one of the first questions on punters' lips this year will be 'which rides is she taking on?' The 32-year-old jockey recorded the most victories at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival with six wins - only Ruby Walsh has ridden more at a single festival with seven - and in doing so became the first female leading jockey at the event, so it's no wonder she is being closely watched by punters.
The Tipperary native also became the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle on Honeysuckle on the opening day of last year's festival - and followed it up this year by retaining her title on the same mare on day one. Her only mistake at Cheltenham so far seems to have been her selection for last year's Gold Cup, where she rode A Plus Tard over the winner Minella Indo.
Just three weeks after her 2021 Cheltenham exploits, Blackmore then became the first woman jockey to win the Grand National on Minella Times.
Read more: Meet Rachael Blackmore, the star jockey who never thought it would work out for her
So, who is Blackmore riding this year as she bids to defend her leading jockey title?
Rachael Blackmore's rides at Cheltenham Festival day two
Blackmore's first outing on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival - Wednesday, March 16 - is with Journey With Me in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at 1.30pm.
Riding for Henry De Bromhead, Blackmore is hopeful that strong preparation will help them cross the post first.
"Sir Gerhard, one of the talking horses of the week, lines up here but we couldn’t be happier with Journey With Me and his preparation, which has gone to plan," she said. "I hope he can follow what Bob Olinger did in this race 12 months ago for the same connections. He is a straightforward horse to ride who jumps well, which is always a big plus."
Next up is Champagne Gold in the Coral Cup Hurdle at 2.50pm. "He will need to improve on his most recent run but has been working well at home," Blackmore said. "He has plenty of ability, and if he puts his best foot forward, he could go well."
The Queen Mother Champion Chase at 3.30pm awaits, where Blackmore rides Envoi Allen, who has been successful twice at Cheltenham. The race will see Nicky Henderson's Shishkin and Willie Mullins' Energumene match up once again. Another Mullins horse, Chacun Pour Soi, will try to spoil the party while last year's winner Put The Kettle On and runner-up Nube Negra are also on the line-up.
"I ride Envoi Allen, who could’ve gone for this or the Ryanair but goes for the shorter trip," Blackmore said. "This looks seriously competitive, and Shishkin is the one to beat. That said, Envoi Allen is an extremely good horse and shouldn’t be discounted. I think he is going to run a very big race here."
At 4.10pm it's time to mount Poker Party in the Cross Country Chase, which sees two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll - who has won this race three times - bid to approach retirement on a high. Trainer Gordon Elliot is also back at the festival with Tiger Roll, having served a six-month suspension after being pictured sat on a dead horse.
Blackmore said: "Next, Poker Party heads to the Cross Country. His recent form has not been too inspiring, but he has taken to jumping these types of fences. Hopefully, he can enjoy it and bring back some of his old spark in this one."
Lastly, Blackmore will ride for trainer Willie Mullins when she steers five-year-old Houlanbatordechais in the Champion Bumper at 5.30pm. "I am delighted to have picked up a ride for Willie Mullins in the bumper on Houlanbatordechais, a winner twice in France. He goes nicely at home, so hopefully, he can run a nice race on his stable debut," she added.
Rachael Blackmore's full Cheltenham Festival rides and odds for day two:
- Journey with Me, Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, 1.30pm (5/1)
- Champagne Gold, Coral Cup Hurdle, 2.50pm (18/1)
Envoi Allen, Queen Mother Champion Chase, 3.30pm (14/1)
Poker Party, Cross Country Chase, 4.10pm (14/1)
Houlanbatordechais, Champion Bumper, 5.30pm (12/1)
Odds courtesy of William Hill and correct at time of publication.
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Blackmore's rides so far at Cheltenham 2022
Day one: Blackmore and Honeysuckle stole the show on the opening day when the Irish rider steered the favourite to a 15th successive career victory for trainer Henry de Bromhead, making it a back-to-back victory in the event for the jockey and mare. Honeysuckle became the first mare to win the Champion Hurdle twice and was given an enormous reception.
But Blackmore's first ride of the festival came on Coeur Sublime in the Arkle Chase on Tuesday, March 15. The seven-year-old, trained by Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead, finished seventh from the eight who completed the race. Better luck followed with Honeysuckle before her third rac of the day on Telmesomethinggirl, last year’s Mares’ Novice Hurdle winner, who was brought down in the Mares' Hurdle. Blackmore then ended the day by crossing the post 11th with Champion Green from 21 riders in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
Blackmore told BetVictor: "It’s just incredible. This is such a special place and I’m so lucky to be riding here on Honeysuckle. She decided when she was happy to go. She’s an unbelievable mare and the team have done brilliantly. The other good news is that Tellmesomething girl is fine after her unfortunate fall, she was going very well at the time but that’s racing - the main thing is that she is okay.”
