THE Irish painted the town green in the Cotswolds on St Patrick’s Thursday — as jockey Rachael Blackmore won a Cheltenham Festival double today.
Blackmore triumphed in the Stayers’ Hurdle aboard Bob Olinger after the 8-1 shot — trained by Henry de Bromhead — beat last year’s winner Teahupoo in a thrilling battle up the hill.
It secured double delight for Rachael, who had earlier won on Air Of Entitlement in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Rachael beamed: “It’s an incredible feeling.
“I read in an interview that JP McManus said some people are luckier than others and I definitely feel like I was born luckier going round here.
“I’ve been so lucky with the horses I’ve got to ride and she’s just another one. Henry brings his horses over here in such incredible form. They all come over here and run above themselves.
“She was just phenomenal there. She travelled through the race, she jumped well.
“She just got her head in front when it was the right time.”
The 35-year-old ace jockey adds the Stayers’ Hurdle to a stellar CV that also includes the Grand National, Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase.
After first sealing victory in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, Blackmore dedicated her latest win to her cousin Robert Blackmore who sadly recently passed away.
She said: “I just want to dedicate this to my cousin Robert, who passed away at the weekend and his funeral is today.”
In the big race later, Blackmore insisted the pace of Bob Olinger worked out for her and that she was “very lucky”.
She said: “I was very happy with him throughout. Obviously I had a bit of luck in running.”
Thursday saw 53,366 racegoers pour in for day three of the action.
A group of 80 Irish owners cheered on their Willie Mullins’ trained Maughreen in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
James Fenton, who manages the syndicate, also paid tribute to late jockey Michael O’Sullivan after the Irish rider passed away last month aged 24 — after injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles.
Fenton, of Closutton Racing Club, from Cork, told The Irish Sun: “Michael was a lovely, lovely guy. I used to meet him down again below in the Gallops in Willies.
“He was a quite young man, never put in or out with anyone. I’ve no doubt he’ll be looking down on Maughreen too.”
Fenton said that Maughreen is “lacking a small bit of experience” but getting her home “safe and sound” is the main thing.
Donegal-Londoner Sean Counihan, who joined the group of 80, said there are exciting times ahead for the owners.
Sean said: “There’s eight mares in total. There’s about 80 odd people in the racing club, all with Willie Mullins. They’re very, very well run.
“We get informed daily on all of our mares. Brilliant. We get a full update on all of them. A lot of them are in pre-training at the moment. Maughreen is the only one actually running at the moment.”
He added: “She was out a year, due to injury, but she’s back. She’s done very well in her first run in the last race at Punchestown. She’s improved enormously.”
Elsewhere, favourite Caldwell Potter, ridden by Harry Cobden, cruised to an impressive victory in the Handicap Chase.
Bookmakers were handed a real bashing today when strong favourite Mullins’ Fact To File stormed the finish line in the Ryanair Chase.
Jonjo O’Neill Jnr was spotted wearing the Cork armband in memory of Michael O’Sullivan as he took the win on Jagwar in the Handicap Chase.
Towie star Gemma Collins and Marching Powder actor Danny Dyer were among the many celebrities spotted at Cheltenham today — along with former football star Peter Crouch.
Gemma said: “I absolutely love the atmosphere here at Cheltenham. Danny Dyer and Peter Crouch are here with me, and we’re having a right old good time.”
Elsewhere, ex-football manager Harry Redknapp was seen shouting for his horse Shakem Up’arry, who finished 14th in the TrustATrader Plate Handicap.
Redknapp said: “It’s nice to be at Cheltenham just to have a runner. Getting a winner is a bonus, but just to have a runner is great.
“Shakem Up’arry travelled well — I thought he was bang in it but he just faded late on.”
Made in Chelsea star and newlywed, Georgia Toffolo has also been enjoying the festival.
DANI’S DIARY – THURSDAY
A SEA of green covered Prestbury Park with Irish out in full force for St Patrick’s Thursday.
Punters were decked out in leprechaun hats, green ties and even the odd shamrock.
Irish music really got the punters going as Irish dancers helped get them on their feet.
Racing fans sent the crowds into huge fits of laughter — battling it out on the virtual reality mechanical horses.
The bookies have had an easy week so far, but Rachael Blackmore wiped the smiles off their face.
The Guinness Village was wedged with punters celebrating — and some drowning their sorrows.
And the group owners of Maughreen certainly brought the craic to the course yesterday.
Helicopters were seen buzzing over the course, with bookies Paddy Power welcoming in top celebs.
TV star Gemma Collins said: “I’ve already spent a fortune. I’m hoping I’m going to win.
“I have put a rule down now that what we win now is what we play with for the rest of the day.
“I get really excited at horseracing. I think it’s a really classy day out.”
Excitement for the Gold Cup is building as the bookies grow nervous of Willie Mullins’ domination.
Cheltenham town centre is electric with punters packing out every boozer.
Tonight will bring more music, tips and celebrations – win or lose.
She said: “Cheltenham has been amazing. I’m here all week. It’s day three and I’m not bleary-eyed yet. I’ve got a pint in my hand, my gloves on and my thermal tights — it’s been amazing!”
Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall made an appearance with Ged Mason, who co-owns Caldwell Potter, the winner of the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, with Sir Alex Ferguson.
He said: “Cheltenham is the best festival — this is brilliant. If anyone ever gets a chance to come down here, this is fantastic.
“How can you not love this? Early March, sun is out, there’s horseracing, loads going on. It doesn’t get any better than this.”
PLENTY OF POSITIVES
Away from the betting ring, Cork woman Maxine O’Sullivan said: “I’ve been to Cheltenham for a number of years. It’s unreal.”
And Cheltenham fan Sarah Kellaway, of Dorset, UK said: “Socialising and seeing the wonderful horses. That’s what we’re here for.”
Looking ahead, Willie Mullins’ superstar Galopin Des Champs will be eyeing a historic hat-trick in the Gold Cup tomorrow.
A BoyleSports spokesman said: “We were in a great position at the half-way stage but punters were fighting back on Thursday with some well-gambled winners.
“And with Galopin Des Champs still to come, we expect they’ll have plenty of positives to take from the Festival come close of play on Friday.”
