Blackmore Building Strong Cheltenham Book Of Rides

On Wednesday, Rachel Blackmore recorded another major contender in her book of rides after Bob Olinger burst clear to take home the Grade Oner Lawlor at the Naas Novice Hurdle. The win saw Bob label himself as Ireland’s top contender for the March 17^th Ballymore Novice Hurdle.

Bob Olinger had recorded only one win over hurdles before Wednesday’s race. However, he previously ranked a close second Fenny Hollow is last year’s Champion Bumper during his opening run over Timber last November.

Blackmore was looking for her 11^th Grade One success, but she has always shown her confidence in Henry de Bromhead’s gelding. Fortunately, Bob Olinger flew last to cross the line six and a half lengths away from Blue Lord to earn a 5-1 second favorite top quote for the Ballymore Novice, ranking behind BraveMansgame, a 9-2 market leader. 

In her statement, Blackmore said that Bob has always shown a lot while at home, and the results helped to show the kind of horse he can become for the future. The horse is simple to ride, and Blackmore wanted him to run in a straightforward race. 

Bob will join A plus Tard, the Gold Cup 10-1 second favorite, and the Mare’s Hurdle 4-1 joint favorite, Honeysuckle in Blackmore’s book of rides during the Festival. Blackmore will also look forward to riding Notebook and Aspire tower at the Festival, both Grade One level runners-up in the last Champion Chase and Champion Hurdle, respectively. You can check Cheltenhamguides.com for more information on the Cheltenham festival. Check out our Cheltenham betting tips that will help you stay ahead of the game and make the most out of your Cheltenham experience. 

Willie Mullins’s Energumene is yet another serious challenger in the Festival, appearing in the white and blue colors of Tony Bloom. The horse recorded an easy success during a two-mile novice run and is no bigger than 7-1 for the March 16^th Arkle Trophy, in a market-led by Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin, the only odds-on favorite at the top price of 5-6 for the Festival. 

Professional jockeys might dominate the Festival’s three amateur races in 2021 if the current restrictions extend to March. That comes after the British Horseracing Authority announced that amateurs wouldn’t be allowed to participate in races under the current regulations after last weekend. 

Currently, the BHA is in the middle of investigating a handicap chase held in Southwell in September, where veteran runner Cillian’s Well has a fatal fall. The investigations also include leading rider Bryony Frost, who was a short distance ahead of Cillian’s Well, and 11-year-old Robert Dune, while riding Wisecracker. Frost also filed a complaint with the British Horseracing Association following an exchange of words between him and Dune. 

Category: International