Rachael Blackmore previews her trio of rides on day three of Cheltenham Festival including Foxy Girl and Envoi Allen
RACHAEL BLACKMORE has looked ahead to her three rides on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.
The 33-year-old will be looking to repeat her day one form by earning another race win following her victory in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle on Honeysuckle.
Cheltenham day three will see the 2021 Grand National and 2022 Gold Cup winner ride Envoi Allen, Marvel De Cerisy and Foxy Girl.
And ahead of the third day, Blackmore spoke to Betfair about each of her horses.
On Envoi Allen, she said: “I’m looking forward to riding Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase on Thursday.
“He ran no race in the King George at Kempton, it just wasn’t his running, so you just have to put a line through that.
“He was very good in winning the Champion Chase at Down Royal in early November on his debut this season.
“That was over three miles, but this extended two-and-a-half-mile trip is probably perfect for him.
“Hopefully the ground won’t be too soft, but we move to the New Course on Thursday, so that should help.
“He’s in really good order at home, and I think that he has a good chance. He has won twice at Cheltenham, and we know that he has the ability.”
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Blackmore believes her second ride of the day, Marvel De Cerisy, will be in good nick for the 4:10 Magners Plate.
She said: “I ride Marvel De Cerisy in the Magners Plate, and he goes there with his chance.
“He fell on his chasing debut at Wexford in October over two miles behind Impervious, but he was good in winning a novice chase at Punchestown the following month over almost two-and-a-half miles.
“He was well beaten last time at Fairyhouse just before Christmas, but that just wasn’t his running.
“He goes into the race a fresh horse, he has been going well at home, and he should appreciate going left-handed. He won his only point-to-point, and this is a good distance for him.”
On her final race of the day aboard Foxy Girl, Blackmore is once again hopeful considering her form.
Blackmore added: “It was a lovely gesture by Ryanair to name the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in memory of Jack de Bromhead, and I know that it’s a race that Henry [De Bromhead] would love to win.
“Henry is running five in it, and they all have chances.
“I ride Foxy Girl. She is a nice mare, and her form is working out well. She finished second behind Liberty Dance at Thurles in December on her first run for Henry, and Liberty Dance won a listed hurdle next time.
“Foxy Girl then won impressively at Limerick over Christmas and the horse she beat into second place, In Excess, was an easy winner of his maiden hurdle next time.
“I hope that Foxy Girl can improve from that and run a nice race. I think that Magical Zoe could run a big race as well. It would be great if Henry could win it with one of his mares.”