Rachael Blackmore lights up gloomy Cheltenham Festival and gets punters off to a flyer by winning first race

RACHAEL BLACKMORE lit up a gloomy Cheltenham Festival and got punters off to a flyer by winning the first race in style on Slade Steel.

The record-breaking jockey powered the Henry de Bromhead-trained horse up the hill to huge cheers on day one.

Reuters

Blackmore celebrates winning the Supreme on Slade Steel[/caption]

Slade Steel was sent off 7-2 after a tidal wave of money came for him with punters keen to back Blackmore back at Cheltenham.

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The six-year-old gelding looked a bit edgy through the race but found loads on the rain-soaked turf.

Blackmore and De Bromhead teamed up to win the Grand National in 2021 – the same year she made history as the first woman to be crowned champion jockey at Cheltenham.

The dream team saw off Willie Mullins’ fancied Mystical Power who was sent off 100-30 under jockey Mark Walsh.

A delighted De Bromhead said afterwards: “Rachael gave him a super ride and fair play to the owners, Robcour.

“The rain definitely helped Slade Steel over two miles.”

While Blackmore beamed: “I didn’t want to be in front jumping the last but he took me there and battled back so well.

“It’s unbelievable, I love this place! It’s amazing to be coming here riding these types of horses.

“Henry’s training of them to bring them here the way he does, is incredible, his team do some job.”

Gordon Elliott’s Firefox came third at 11-2 while the world’s tallest jockey Thomas Costello came fourth on Asian Master at 16-1.

The first five horses home were all trained by Ireland, with Alan King’s Favour And Fortune the best of the Brits.

It was a nightmare start for Nicky Henderson as his big chance Jeriko Du Reponet was pulled up before the second-last flight of hurdles.

The Seven Barrows boss has already been hammered by his star horse Constitution Hill having to miss the week.

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