Cartmel horse racing fans will have a bonus this Saturday as the 2021 Grand National-winning jockey Rachael Blackmore will head to the Cumbria track for three rides.
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Rachael Blackmore Fever Heads To Cartmel On Saturday
Cartmel racecourse, which is situated in the Lake District, will stage a six-race card on Saturday.
The afternoon gets going at 2:15pm and the track received an added bonus with the news that top Irish jumps jockey Rachael Blackmore will be making the trip over.
Blackmore was in action at Killarney on Friday but will hop over the Irish Sea to take up three riding commitments at Cartmel – two of which are for trainer Ben Haslam and owner JP McManus, who provided Blackmore with her 2021 Grand National winner (Minella Times).
These will be the first Rachael Blackmore Cartmel rides since July 2017.
Cartmel General Manager Geraldine McKay told the Racing Post: “It’s really good for us to get that big name because people will hear the name Rachael Blackmore and might come and see her. There’s always a buzz here, so she’s going to have a nice, vocal crowd by the railings.”
McKay added when taking about Blackmore riding in the female only jockeys race
“There will be great support for Rachael, but there will too be great support for Charlotte Jones, who we call a local rider now!” McKay added. “It’s great that they’re going to be able to take each other on.
“That particular contest always seems to attract a good field size, but when you get a rider like Rachael it puts the icing on the cake. We’re very happy to support all of the women in the race. Rachael has won it before, but we’re delighted to have her come here again.”
Where Is Cartmel Racecourse?
Cartmel racecourse is situated, near Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria with the beautiful backdrop of the Lake District.
It’s a left-handed track for National Hunt (jumps) and has a circuit distance of 1m1f, plus a four-furlong run-in after jumping the last – the longest in England.
Being a course with stiff fences and sharp bends it tends to favour front runners that have previous course form.
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Rachael Blackmore Cartmel Rides: Saturday 22nd July 2023
2:50: Banks Lyon Jewellers Female Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Pro/Am Race) Cl3 (3yo+ 0-125) 2m1f RTV: HORN CAPE @ 9/2 with Paddy Power
An all-Female jockey race here and all eyes will be on the head-to-head with Blackmore and local jockey Charlotte Jones (Yukon), who rides this track so well. Blackmore’s ride on Ben Haslam’s Horn Cape was a fine third to Gavin last time (beaten just 6 lengths) and the winner is a fancy for Saturday’s Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen.
The JP McManus-owned horse has been dropped a few pounds for that run too and also won’t mind if there is any rain at the track. With Blackmore riding is sure to be very popular in the betting with the best UK horse racing betting sites.
3:25: William Hill Cumbria Crystal Cup Handicap Hurdle Cl3 (4yo+ 0-130) 2m6f RTV: CELESTIAL HORIZON @ 9/1 with Paddy Power
Second runner for Ben Haslam and JP for Rachael Blackmore here as she gets the leg-up on Celestial Horizon. This 5 year-old has as string of 7’s next to his name so more is needed, but a 4lb drop by the handicapper helps. The longer trip should assist too and the horse certainly looks well-treated on his old Irish form from 2022. Needs to bounce back but the Blackmore factor could easily see him do just that.
4:35: William Hill Epic Value Handicap Chase Cl4 (4yo+ 0-115) 2m5f RTV: POST NO BILLS @ 13/8 with Paddy Power
The final Rachael Blackmore Cartmel ride on Saturday sees the former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner booked for the Ryan Potter-trained Post No Bills. The horse is a proven course and distance winner after winning here at the end of May and was a fair second at Aintree in a better race last time.
Had a month to get over that run and returns to a track we know he likes. Is also dropped slightly in grade here today, so it’s hard to not see this 8 year-old having a big say. The betting suggests this is Blackmore’s best chance on the afternoon.
Note: Odds are subject to change
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