Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead, the winning combination of the Champion Hurdle, were back in the Cheltenham winner’s enclosure again as Bob Olinger took the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – the opening race on day two of the Festival.
Making history on Tuesday as the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle, Rachel Blackmore, on De Bromhead’s mare Honeysuckle, made it her second success of the meeting on 6-4 favourite Bob Olinger.
Willie Mullins’ Gaillard Du Mesnil made it one-two for the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.
Blackmore tucked in behind chief British hope Bravemansgame, but took over heading up the Cheltenham hill and was already three lengths clear at the last en route to victory by seven and a half.
Blackmore was impressed as Bob Olinger took his winning sequence to three, and doubled his Grade One tally.
“It’s unbelievable,” she told ITV Racing.
“I’m so delighted for (owner) Brian Acheson and his family – he puts a lot into this game and he’s got a very special horse on his hands now.
“His potential is sky high, I’d say – he was phenomenal there.
“He won a point-to-point for Pat Doyle, and Henry got him then – anyone who’s ever been associated with him has thought an awful lot of him. Winning at Cheltenham is what it’s all about. and he’s done that now.
“There will be plenty of big days in him hopefully, but it’s just fantastic for everyone in the yard.”
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