The Pick of Rachael Blackmore's Cheltenham Rides
Kicking off tomorrow, the long wait for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival is almost over. Only a few days remain for the trainers and jockeys to make their final preparations ahead of the most competitive four days of the season. For some, it will all end in disappointment, while others will experience the highest highs in National Hunt racing.
Hoping to fall into the latter category is the finest female rider in the business – and one of the best riders regardless of sex – Rachael Blackmore. Now 34 years of age, Blackmore has already experienced her share of Cheltenham Festival Glory – picking up 14 wins in total, including in the flagship events of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle. Grabbing at least one win at each of the last six Cheltenham Festivals, Rachael’s golden year came in 2021, when a six-race haul saw her finish as the meeting’s leading jockey.
Hitting those heights again in 2024 looks like a tall order, but Rachael’s book of rides looks strong enough to extend her sequence of winning Cheltenham Festivals to six. Here we take a look at her likely mounts on each of the four days
Day 1: Tuesday 12 March
Best Chance: The Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase – Quilixios @ 13/2 with Betfred
A winner on his only previous visit to the Cheltenham Festival, having landed the 2021 Triumph Hurdle under Blackmore, the talented Quilxios tackles the fences this time.
Other Likely Rides
- Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle - Slade Steel @ 7/1 with Coral
- Ultima Handicap Chase - Amirite @ 16/1 with bet365
- Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle - Tellmesomethinggirl @ 20/1 with Betfred
Day 2: Wednesday 13 March
Best Chance: Glenfarclas Chase – Minella Indo @ 15/8 with bet365
Another previous Festival winner, Minella Indo claimed the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Rachael was on the second A Plus Tard that day but will be hoping for top spot as this classy sort takes on the Cross Country Course.
Other Likely Rides
- Gallagher Novices Hurdle - Slade Steel @ 6/1 with bet365
- Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase - Monty’s Star @ 6/1 with William Hill
- Coral Cup Handicap Chase - Ballyadam @ 16/1 with Betfred
- Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase - Captain Guinness @ 16/1 with bet365
- Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase - Dancing On My Own @ 20/1 with Betfred
Day 3: Thursday 14 March
Best Chance: Ryanair Chase – Envoi Allen @ 7/2 with bet365
The biggest Cheltenham Festival specialist on Rachael’s book of rides - Envoi Allen looks to add to his wins in the Champion Bumper (2019), Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle (2020), and this event last year.
Other Likely Rides
- Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle - Gabbys Cross @ 11/1 with bet365
- Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase - Arctic Bresil @ 20/1 with Betfred
- Ryanair Mares’ Novices Hurdle - Birdie Or Bust @ 16/1 with Betfred
Day 4: Friday 15 March
Best Chance: BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle – Magical Zoe @ 12/1 with Betfred
Few standouts for Blackmore on the closing day, but this mare ran a cracker to finish second in the 2023 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and would boast sound claims if dropping into handicap company for this.
Other Likely Rides
- Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle - Chigorin @ 40/1 with bet365
Cheltenham Festival Betting Offers
Cheltenham Festival 2024 - Day 1 Acca
Cheltenham Festival 2024 - Day 2 Acca
Cheltenham Festival 2024 - Day 3 Acca
Top 20 Betting Offers
|
18+ New customers only. Place a £5+ bet at minimum odds of 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £25 in Free Sports Bets + 50 Free Spins (valued at £0.10 each), valid for 7 days on selected bets and games. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly |
|||||
|
New customers online only. Valid with code B10G50 on registration. Bet min £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Sports Bet, 2 x £/€5 Sports Acca and 50 Free Spins. 7-day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. |
|||||
|
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place a single win-only bet of £10 or more with odds of evens (2.00) or greater to qualify. Money back as £10 in free bets. Free bet is credited the day after the qualifying bet has settled. Must use code B10G10 when creating an account. |
|||||
|
New Customers Only. Sign up with bonus code: EB20. Bet £20 and get £20 in Free Bets. Paid as £5 Free Bet on Soccer, £5 Free Bet on Horse Racing, £5 Free Bet on Multiples and a £5 Free Bet on any Market. Terms apply 18+ gambleaware.org. |
|||||
|
New Players Only. Sign Up with Bonus Code: NEW30. Bet and Settle 1x£10 Bet on Matchbook Exchange at odds of 2.0 or more. Bet and Settle 1x£10 Bet on a Bet Builder or Multiple at odds of 3.0 or more, with min 3 selections. Within 72 hours of Qualifying Bets settling user will receive 1x £10 Exchange Free Bet, 1x £10 Multiples Free Bet, and 1x £10 Bet Builder Free Bet. Users making their first deposit by Skrill, Neteller or PaySafe card will not qualify for this promotion. 18+ Only. T’s and C’s Apply. Be Gamble Aware. |
|||||
|
18+. New customers only. Deposit and place first bet of £20 or more at min odds Evens (2.0). Get £20 in Free Bets credited as x1 £10 Free Bet and x2 £5 Bet Builder Free BetsT&Cs Apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
|||||
|
New Customers use code EPL10. Deposit £10 and place a bet of £10 on any Premier League Outrights 2025/26 market at minimum odds of 2.0. Free Bet credited within 24 hours and must be wagered on English Premier League markets only. Full Terms apply. Bangers N'Cash rewards are a separate promotional scheme and must be opted into during the weekly promotional period via the BetWright Rewards Section. 18+ begambleaware. |
|||||
|
*New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Earn a £30 Uber Eats Voucher on successful Acca qualification. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply |
|||||
|
Place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet.18+ www.gambleaware.org. |
|||||
|
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. |
|||||
|
18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. 1st Deposit & Bet £/€10+ at min odds 1/2 on Sports within 14 days of account reg & Get 4x £10 Free Bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days) Max 1 Free Bet per player. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+ | New Customers Only | Promo Code: WELCOME10 | Place a single £10 bet within 3 calendar days of registration. Bet must settle on the same day of placement | Min odds Evens (2.00) | Get 2 x £5 UK/Irish Horse Racing Free Bets + 2 x £5 Football Free Bets | Free Bets valid for 7 days | Max win £250 | T&Cs apply | GB residents only | Gamble responsibly |
|||||
|
18+. Play Safe. Online only. For new UK register customers using promo code G40. Deposit & place £10 cash single bet (min odds 1/2) on sportsbook (excl. Virtuals). Get £40 in Free Bets (4x£10), valid for sportsbook (excl. Virtuals), 7 days expiry, must use in full (£10 each). Not valid with deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay or WH PLUS Card. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. www.gambleaware.org #ad |
|||||
|
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, payment method exclusions apply; New customers only. T&C apply; 18+ Please gamble responsibly. |
|||||
|
New Customer only. £10 in real money. Bets placed on sports at odds of 2.00 or more to qualify. Bets must be placed 24 hours within registration. £10 free bets must be wagered on sports. Full terms apply. Gambling can be addictive, play responsibly. 18+ |
|||||
|
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New customers only. Min. £10 deposit, debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, 7 day expiry. See full terms. #AD |
|||||
|
New customers place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Get 2 x £10 free bets. 18+ begambleaware |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Min deposit £20. Min Wager £20 at min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max free bet £20. T&Cs apply begambleaware. |
