- Betfair launched an initiative – the ‘Rachael Blackmore – Serial Winners Fund’
- They will be making a donation every time Blackmore rides a winner
- She has four good chances to win on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
Betfair launched its one-of-a-kind charity initiative, the ‘Rachael Blackmore – Serial Winners Fund’, to benefit both the ‘Injured Jockey Fund’ and the ‘Irish Injured Jockeys’ on Betfair Chase Day last November.
They kicked-off the fund with an initial £100,000 donation and add a further £5,000 every time Rachael Blackmore rides a winner. The fund currently stands at £180,000 and is expected to reach £250,000 by Grand National Day, Saturday 13th April, when the fund will draw to a close.
Cheltenham is such a special place that Betfair will double its £5,000 donation to £10,000 for every winner Rachael rides at the Festival.
![Rachael Blackmore has four good chances to win on day one of the Cheltenham Festival](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/11/23/82339635-0-image-a-109_1710199161050.jpg)
Rachael Blackmore has four good chances to win on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Tuesday
1.30 – Slade Steel
Slade Steel runs in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle instead of in the Gallagher. Before I rode him in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle over two miles at the Dublin Racing Festival, I would have said that he would have been better in the longer race. But he was sharp at Leopardstown, I don’t think that the two-mile trip will be an issue for him.
Obviously this is a very good race, it’s a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and it’s very competitive, but I think that he is bang there with his chance. He’s a horse we’ve always held in high regard and soft ground won’t be an issue for him. We’re hoping for a big run.
![Blackmore thinks Slade Steel (left) is in with a good shot in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/11/23/82339643-0-image-a-108_1710199157308.jpg)
Blackmore thinks Slade Steel (left) is in with a good shot in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
2.10 – Quilixios
I’m really looking forward to riding Quilixios in the Arkle. We were very happy with his run at Naas last time, dropped back down to two miles. His jumping was good and he won well.
This is a very competitive Arkle, but Quilixios is a Triumph Hurdle winner, he has a touch of class and he won his only race at the track. I think that he can run a really big race.
2.50 – Eklat De Rire
Eklat De Rire has had his issues, but he put up a much improved performance last time at Fairyhouse. Only two of us finished in the end, but his jumping was good and he kept on well.
Unfortunately he unseated me in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham three years ago when we thought that he would run a big race. He is 10 now, but the handicapper has given him a chance. He goes into the race in good form, he should enjoy the ground and I hope that he can go well.
4.10 – Telmesomethinggirl
This is very competitive again, Lossiemouth is last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner and she looked impressive at Cheltenham on her return this season, but Telmesomethinggirl goes there with a live chance.
She won the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2021 and she was unlucky to be brought down at the second last flight in the Mares’ Hurdle the following year when she was travelling well. She was chasing last season, but she has improved with each of her runs this season back over hurdles. She ran really well last time in the Grade 3 Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas, and I hope that she can run a big race.