BOOKIES are dreading being cleaned out by Rachael Blackmore at Cheltenham Festival.
The trailblazing female jockey is on par with AP McCoy and Frankie Dettori as being the go-to bet for punters.
Bookies fear punters piling into Blackmore’s horses during Cheltenham Festival
Blackmore, 32, made history at last year’s Festival when she became the first woman to be crowned top jockey.
The following month she entered the history books again with her Grand National victory aboard Minella Times.
Blackmore teams up with superstar trainer Henry de Bromhead at Cheltenham and the pair will look to reclaim their titles – much to the chagrin of bookies.
The Irish jockey looks like keeping her rides on many of her winners from 12 months ago.
Among her big fancies are odds-on Champion Hurdle favourite Honeysuckle, Turners’ Novices’ Chase fancy Bob Olinger and Mares’ Hurdle favourite Telmesomethinggirl.
Then there is Gold Cup favourite A Plus Tard plus big Ballymore chance Journey With Me.
Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Rachael’s six victories at last year’s Cheltenham Festival where she was crowned the Queen of Prestbury Park and top jockey and her sensational Grand National victory on Minella Times the following month mean that she is now the go-to pilot when it comes to punters.
“In fact she’s now so popular that her rides seem to draw the same attention as Tony McCoy over Jumps in the past or Flat equivalents Kieren Fallon, who was a true punters’ pal with his trademark strong finishes, and flamboyant Italian Frankie Dettori.
“All of her mounts next week will receive the strictest perusal from bookies and punters alike.
“Our odds boffins at Power Tower will be enduring nightmares in the build-up and suffering from extreme stress during the afternoon if one or two of her rides come in on the same day.
“The accas so loved by Cheltenham backers could cause some very serious multiple mayhem.”
