RACHAEL BLACKMORE’S eagerly anticipated Grand National ride has been confirmed.
The Cheltenham Festival superstar will ride 10-1 shot Minella Times in the big race.
Bookies had slashed odds on the runner after punters sussed the horse was the most likely to be ridden by Blackmore.
And his odds were shortened again to 10-1 after Blackmore’s slot in the saddle was confirmed by trainer Henry de Bromhead.
The duo dominated Cheltenham Festival last month, with Blackmore becoming the first woman champion jockey of the week.
Now she could become the first woman to win the world’s most famous race on Saturday.
De Bromhead told the Racing Post: “Minella Times runs in the Grand National and Rachael rides him.
“He’s progressed really nicely this season and I thought his run in the Paddy Power over Christmas was a really good one, as was his last one at Leopardstown.
“But you know me – the glass is always half-empty rather than half-full, so I would point out he was beaten in both of them, so he can’t be unexposed.
“The trip is an unknown with Minella Times. You’d like to think he will stay and improve for it, but you never know until you try it.
“He has to go out there and do it and prove it.
“Touch wood, he jumps really well and he seems to be in very good form at home.”
More to follow.
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