“It’s unbelievable. It’s just incredible. I just got such an unbelievable passage through the race. Minella Times just jumped fantastic and brought me from fence to fence.
“I just travelled and jumped everywhere. I wish I could give you a better run down of what happened. I got a beautiful passage everywhere. He travelled really well and jumped really well. I thought jumping two out I was trying to hold on to a bit as it is a long way home.”
Those were the words of Rachael Blackmore after her sensational victory in last year’s Grand National aboard Minella Times. In doing so, the Irishwoman became the first female jockey to win the National in its entire history, which stretches back as far as 1839. It was a year to remember for Blackmore and trainer Henry de Bromhead, who enjoyed a memorable trip to Cheltenham just a few weeks before, and carried that form into the Aintree showpiece.
Indeed, Blackmore rode six winners at Cheltenham and while ‘The Queen of Prestbury Park’ still won the Gold Cup in this year’s Festival, you wonder if lightning will strike twice in terms of the Grand National. She’ll be keen to replicate the success of Davy Russell, who as a jockey won consecutive Nationals with Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019.
Alas, Gordon Elliott was denied the chance of levelling Red Rum’s record of three Nationals when the diminutive gelding rode for the last time at Cheltenham due to disagreements between owner Michael O’Leary and the weight rankings at Aintree. It means Blackmore can create history should she retain the National — a feat that looks extremely daunting on paper, especially with the added pressure of a bellowing Aintree crowd.
Racing behind closed doors would have allowed the 35-year-old to focus entirely on the task at hand, but if she is able to navigate her way through the course’s treacherous path and often chaotic jumps for a second time, she’ll certainly be writing her name in Merseyside folklore amongst the very best.
The race is proving tough to call on paper, and those planning to bet Grand National 2022 will have some tough choices to make in a competitive National. The likes of Snow Leopardess and Glenfarclas Chase winner Delta Workare favourites, but the ‘Blackmore factor’ is certainly one to consider, especially given last year’s results. The soft ground could also prove decisive though, with Minella Times pulling up at Leopardstown back in February and falling at the end of last year in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown.
It means the nine-year-old comes in as a 14/1 shot, but trainer De Bromhead is optimistic about his chances, especially after confirming Blackmore would be riding him.
“Rachael will ride Minella Times. He’s back showing me all the right signs at home,” he said. “He loved it last year, but he’s obviously gone up a good bit in the ratings so it’s not going to be easy for him,”
There’s no doubt the task will hard for Blackmore but if she can start well and stay in the race to the very end, the unpredictable nature of the National might work in her favour and Minella Times could well match Tiger Roll for back-to-back victories, and cement Blackmore as one of the finest jockeys around.
