CHELTENHAM BREAKFAST: Rachael Blackmore proves why you SHOULD meet your heroes, anxiety is growing among bookmakers over one JP McManus runner… and watch out for the 6ft 4in jockey!

There was another compelling case to be made that the saying ‘never meet your heroes’ should be abolished in the Cheltenham parade ring on Monday.

After a morning of galloping, Rachael Blackmore had cleared a spot in her diary to say hello to a group of schoolchildren who had come for a behind-the-scenes look at the course. On the eve of such a major sporting event, it can be common for athletes to pay lip service to these types of events.

But Blackmore made a point of talking to every child, posing for photos and leaving ten-year-old girls open-mouthed in amazement.

Blackmore has had an incredible impact on the number of young people visiting Irish racecourses over the past two years. What a boost it would be if this also happened here.

Ascot’s connection with the Royal Family is indelible, but Cheltenham has regularly benefited from a royal presence at the festival over the years.

It always heightens interest and twelve months ago an unwitting journalist walked through a gate to cover the crowd at the Gold Cup only to be greeted by a bevy of photographers, all ready with cameras in hands, but all sporting faces of disbelief.

When said reporter asked their colleagues what the problem was, they were told – in not so many words – to turn around. There, ten yards away, through the same gate, stood the Princess Royal. Needless to say, the person in the middle quickly made a hasty retreat.

Given the title of Wednesday’s big race, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, it would be appropriate if there was some royal representation on course, but the Buckingham Palace diary is not something that is ever discussed publicly, so we’ll have to wait and see.

Concerns are growing among bookmakers about the damage a potential victory for Fact To File in Browns Advisory Chase would cause. Cheltenham Breakfast has achieved that he is potentially the best of all the JP McManus runners this week and big things are expected.

One good judge in Ireland has even talked about backing Fact Or File for the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup and if he’s as good as they say, you could be witnessing something special.

But no race at The Festival is ever a procession and in recent days there has been growing support for Monty’s Star as a well-priced alternative. It is telling to see that after a spell of seventeen days without a winner, his trainer Henry De Bromhead had a winner at Naas and a double at Limerick.

Always expect the unexpected when you work in live television and Nick Luck showed again on Monday afternoon why he is one of the masters of his profession. During a broadcast for Racing TV, Luck tracked down Joe Donnelly, who was having dinner with Nicky Henderson.

Donnelly will have a host of excellent opportunities this week, with his colors carried by quality animals such as Shishkin and Shanagh Bob. His main hopes, however, are State Man in today’s Champion Hurdle and Sir Gino, favorite for Friday’s Triumph Hurdle.

It’s not out of the question that Shishkin could come close in the Gold Cup.

He has been whipped back into form by Henderson and as he delivered a eulogy of the trainer’s ability, Donnelly’s excitement caused him to knock over a glass of water. Luck never backed down, helped set the table and continued broadcasting unperturbed.

The common belief that you have to be small to be a jockey has been debunked by Thomas Costello. You’ll definitely miss him in the parade ring before the opening of the Supreme Novices Hurdle as he’ll tower over everyone – he’s 6ft tall.

But an indication of his ability is the fact that he has been booked by Willie Mullins to ride Asian Master for him. Costello said: “I’m not nervous at the moment and generally don’t suffer from nerves, so I think I’ll be fine. I still can’t believe I got a ride in the Supreme.”