Once-a-year backers will be getting behind the Cheltenham Festival’s leading jockey on Minella Times at Aintree
After an extraordinary week at Cheltenham last month, when she finished the four days as the leading rider for the first time, there is something very unusual about Rachael Blackmore and it has nothing to do with her gender. It goes beyond the distinction between jumping and Flat racing too. Ahead of her ride on Minella Times in the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, there is no longer much doubt that Blackmore is a jockey whose name can move betting markets.
There was money for Minella Times a fortnight ago, well before Blackmore was confirmed as his rider, as backers attempted to “frontrun” the tidal wave of cash that is expected to arrive on Saturday. Little of it will be punted after a forensic examination of the form (though Minella Times has as much chance as most on paper). Most will be staked simply because Blackmore is in the saddle.
Written by Greg Wood
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/apr/09/follow-the-money-why-grand-national-punters-are-backing-rachael-blackmore-horse-racing under the title “Follow the money: why Grand National punters are backing Rachael Blackmore”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
