It has now been confirmed that Cheltenham festival superstar Rachael Blackmore will ride 10/1 shot Minella Times in the 2021 Randox Grand National this weekend.
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Grand National 2021: Rachael Blackmore ride confirmed
Leading bookmakers have continued to shorten the odds on Minella Times after punters determined that the runner was likely to be ridden by Cheltenham festival champion jockey Rachael Blackmore. These odds were slashed further following the announcement by trainer Henry de Bromhead that Blackmore would indeed be in the saddle this weekend.
Trainer and jockey completely dominated the Cheltenham Festival a few weeks ago, Blackmore securing her place in the record books by becoming the first woman jockey to ride most winners at the Festival. Now she will be aiming to once again etch her name into history by becoming there first female jockey to land the Grand National.
De Bromhead said: “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.”
Minella Times is just one of three runners entered into the Grand National by Henry de Bromhead, the others being Balko Des Flos and Chris’s Dream.