Rachael Blackmore will ride Ain’t That A Shame as the favorite to win the Grand National despite her heavy fall at 11th hurdle at Upping The Anti in the Topham Handicap Chase
Rachael Blackmore climbs aboard Ain’t That A Shame as the favorite to win the Randox Grand National after surviving a bruise in the Topham Handicap Chase.
Bookmakers cut her odds in half to 8-1 on the Henry De Bromhead-trained nine-year-old as punters grabbed the ‘Rachael Blackmore factor’.
That was despite Friday’s heavy fall at 11th hurdle at Upping The Anti after riding her second winner of the meeting at Inthepocket in the Grade One Top Novices’ Hurdle.
The Irish jockey, whose boyfriend Brian Hayes rides Mr Incredible, walked away unscathed and will go for her second National win on Saturday following her win over Minella Times in 2021, the first by a woman.
She said of Ain’t That A Shame: ‘He’s a very exciting horse to ride (the National). There’s definitely more of him to come.’
Rachael Blackmore climbs aboard Ain’t That A Shame as the favorite to win the Randox Grand National after surviving a contusion in the Topham Handicap Chase
Bookmakers cut her odds in half to 8-1 on the Henry De Bromhead-trained nine-year-old as punters grabbed the ‘Rachael Blackmore factor’
Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield praised an ‘avalanche of cash’ for Ain’t That A Shame in the past 24 hours.
He added, “The Rachael Blackmore factor is back in play.
“She’s the go-to jockey people look for when they open their race card.”
Bookmakers predicted that Delta Work (9-1), third last year, was the lone runner that could threaten Ain’t That A Shame and Blackmore who would start the race as the favorite.