Emotional Rachael Blackmore reveals family tragedy days before Cheltenham Festival as she dedicates win to cousin

RACHAEL BLACKMORE emotionally dedicated her Cheltenham Festival win to her cousin who recently passed away.

The Irish jockey sealed victory in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on the back of Air Of Entitlement.

ITV

Rachael Blackmore dedicated her Cheltenham win to her cousin[/caption]

Sportsfile

The horse was a 16/1 outsider and pipped favourite Sixandahalf on the line in stunning fashion.

It was Blackmore‘s 18th career win at Cheltenham and her first this year.

In a classy move, she dedicated this one to her cousin Robert after his sad death.

The 2021 Grand National champion said to ITV: “I just want to dedicate this to my cousin Robert Blackmore, who passed away at the weekend and his funeral is today.”

On her win, she continued: “It is a magical place to be up here. It’s brilliant, she did it really well

“We have a quieter few days, going home on Tuesday it feels like I have been spoilt the last couple of years, getting to go home with a winner.

“But Henry does such an incredible job with the way he brings them over here for Cheltenham.

“They all run above themselves and I am very lucky to be on some of their backs.”

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Away from her win, the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle was marred by false start drama with 11/1 Willie Mullins-trained Maughreen facing the wrong way as the race got underway.

Blackmore is back in the saddle later today on 12/1 Envoi Allen in the the Festival Trophy and 12/1 Bob Olinger in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

If they could be winner, she said: “Absolutely, yes. They are both going to love this ground and they have both got chances definitely.”