GRAND National favourite Rachael Blackmore will have to beat her boyfriend to triumph again.
The 33-year-old — the first woman to win the race — faces jockey Brian Hayes on Mr Incredible.
Rachael Blackmore is 8/1 to win the Grand National but will have to beat her boyfriend to triumph
Jockey Brian Hayes is 14/1 to win the race on Mr Incredible
Punters are backing Irish Rachael, on Ain’t That A Shame, to repeat her 2021 Aintree feat as they splash out a record £150million.
Jockey Rachael Blackmore’s romance with her Grand National rival Brian Hayes will survive no matter who romps home at Aintree.
Rachael, first female National winner two years ago, is hot-favourite on Ain’t That A Shame while her boyfriend of three years rides Mr Incredible.
The farmer’s daughter was yesterday urged to “do it for the girls” by her fans, and bookies fear an unprecedented eight-figure payout if she succeeds.
The Irish jump star already owes Brian and their fellow jockey housemate Patrick Mullins a trip to Las Vegas after her historic 2021 victory on Minella Times.
She admitted yesterday: “They haven’t had the chance to go Vegas yet but they haven’t forgotten that I still owe them that trip. I will 100 per cent fulfil that as I’m good for my word.”
Since 2016, the trio of jockeys, all aged 33, have shared a home together in County Carlow, Ireland — before Rachael and Brian became an item.
Rachael said: “It’s a great house to live in. We don’t talk about racing half as much as people might think.”
There is speculation Rachael, whose other big victories include the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup, could take time out to start a family if she wins today.
Rachael’s romance with her rival Brian will survive no matter who romps home at Aintree
Yesterday Patrick told how she and Brian are teetotal, so the regular bottles of bubbly handed out for their wins go begging.
He joked: “Neither of them drink, and I don’t mean just alcohol, but tea or coffee as well. Brian orders pints of milk if we go to a restaurant, and Rachael is just on water.”
He added: “But there are plenty of friends who get to enjoy the champagne — she’s not afraid to throw a party.”
Bookies were last night dreading a repeat Rachael win, with big early money pouring in for her, and more expected today.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said “the Blackmore effect” was sweeping the nation and another Grand National victory for her is “a result we are praying to avoid”.
Coral’s David Stevens added: “It’s not about her being a female rider, it’s about her being a proven winner.”
Among her fans at a cold and wet Aintree yesterday was hairdresser Rebecca Jones, 29, from Liverpool.
She said: “I don’t know much about horses but I know about Rachael Blackmore.
“We’ve got to back her because she’s up against her boyfriend, she’s got to beat him for the girls.
“We’re hoping to God the sun comes out and it warms up a bit because it’s freezing.”
Meanwhile, animal rights activists said they plan to scale fences before the race begins.
Some 300 members of Animal Rising are said to be plotting to enter the Merseyside racecourse early this morning and stop the race from starting.
They will also set out to block traffic with a slow march along Ormskirk Road, the main access route.
Merseyside Police said they have a “robust policing plan in place” and are working with Aintree owners The Jockey Club in preparation for any incidents.
