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Cheltenham Festival News: Rachael Blackmore loving Irish Honeysuckle roar but focused on March

Rachael Blackmore

Rachel Blackmore received a raucous reception on winning the Irish Champion Hurdle on Honeysuckle. Similar scenes look likely at Cheltenham but Blackmore is professional to the last.

Rachael Blackmore recieved a raucous reception with her runaway success on Honeysuckle in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. Next up is the English version at Cheltenham on March 15.

Packed stands added an extra dimension to a day of favourites winning in Dublin and racing's darling Blackmore did not disappoint.

Crowds are key to jumps racing's appeal and the recent lack of capacity due to Covid:19 has somewhat stifled the spectacle. Yet, with crowds allowed back in at Leopardstown, the combination of Honeysuckle and Blackmore brought back some of the magic.

Spectators were out in force to see the queens of National Hunt on Sunday, and the duo were cheered to the rafters before, during and after the Irish Champion Hurdle

Honeysuckle's return to the winner's enclosure was one befitting a true champion,, with racegoers crammed against the rails to hail Irish racing's equine queen.

Of course, the typically gracious Blackmore dedicated the win to trainer Henry De Bromhead and owner Kenny Alexander.

"It's just unbelievable," she told RTE.
"We're all so lucky to be involved with her. Me to be riding her, Henry to be training her and Kenny to be owning her.
"I've never got a reception like that cantering to the start. It was incredible and I really got chills through my veins listening to everyone as we went down.
"It's fantastic to be a part of it all and she's just an unbelievable mare."

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