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+. Play Safe. New customers only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Full T&Cs apply. #ad |
|||||
|
New UK customers only. Qualifying bet should be a Single or Accumulator bet, min stake £10, and min odds 1.9. Get £50 in Free bets which must be placed with a min odds of 2.0 include: 1 x £10 Free bet for horse racing, 1 x £10 Free bet on football, 2 x 10 Free bet In-play, 1 x £10 Free bet Acca (min 3 selections). To unlock the offer, complete the first deposit via the banking app. Max payout – £500. 7 day expiry. 18+. Begambleaware.org |
|||||
|
New customers only. Register with SUMMER50. First qualifying bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get £50 in free bets: 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
New UK Customers. Register using code BETGETSPORTS. Must bet £10 in total on 4+ legs, min odds 4.0. £20 awarded as 4 X £5 free bets once settled, AND 50 Free Spins to use on Big Bass Splash (valued at 10p per spin). Free bet T&Cs Apply. 18+. BeGambleAware.org |
|||||
|
New customers Deposit and place your first bet on Sports at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater. Once bet is settled you will receive 1x £10 Free Bet Token to be used on Football, 1x £10 Free Bet Token to be used on Horse Racing, and 20 Extra spins (value per spin 50p), to be used on Book of Dead. Total bonus value £30. Full terms apply. 18+ begambleaware. |
|||||
|
18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £5 free bets. Stake not returned. Restrictions + Free bet T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly |
|||||
|
18+. New customers only. Min deposit £20. Max One £10 Free Bet. Min turnover £20. Qualifying Bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater. Paid as bonus token with Min 4/5 (1.80) odds req. T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 (odds 2.00+) within 3 days of sign up. No cash-out. Get 3x£10 Free Bets for set markets (odds 2.0+) which expire in 5 days. Cards and Apple Pay payments only. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly |
|||||
|
£10 min deposit. First bet mins odds 1.5 placed within 14 days of sign-up. 2 x £10 in Free Bets: valid for 7 days, free bet stakes not returned. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. 18+ T&Cs apply.
|
|||||
|
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. Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First qualifying bet with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00+ (2/1). If first bet loses free bets will be credited after bet settled. 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full terms apply |
|||||
|
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+ |
|||||
|
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. New customers. Registration required |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 at odds 2.00+ within 7 days, no cashout. Get 6x £5 Free Bets, set events at odds 2.00+. 7 day bonus expiry. Debit Card / Apple Pay payments only. Click for T&Cs. Please Gamble Responsibly. |
|||||
|
New customers only. Min deposit £10. Max one £15 Free Bet. Min Turnover £15 to qualify. Qualifying bets must be at odds of Evens (2.0) or bigger. Full Terms apply. 18+ begambleaware. |
|||||
|
Deposit and bet on any Sports Markets at Evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% Money Back of your first days losses as a Free Bet up to £35 + another £5 free bet either way + 10 Free Spins. New customers. Free bet T&Cs apply.18+
|
|||||
|
18+. New Customers Only. Max 1 x £10 Free Bet. Qualifying bets at Odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as Bonus Token Min 4/5 Odds Req. Skrill, Neteller, Paypal not eligible. T&Cs Apply |
|||||
|
18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Min first 5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 1 x 20 free bet. Stake not returned. This offer is limited to one free bet award per person/household/IP address. Free bets expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
*New members. £10 min bet on sportsbook (ex. virtual) 1.5 min odds, settled in 14 days of sign-up. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook (ex. virtual). Stake not returned. Full Terms apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. 18+ |
