THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL WILL BEGIN NEXT WEEK and it's fair to say racing fans are getting excited.
The meeting features several Grade I races including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Stayers' Hurdle.
Ireland's racing stock is well-known at the festival, and it won't be any different this year.
One of Ireland's greatest success stories in recent years has come in the form of Rachael Blackmore.
The Killenaule native became the first woman to be leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival with six victories, and won the Champion Hurdle, in 2021. The following year she became the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard.
Speaking to Betfair this week, the Irish star revealed what it was like to win the Gold Cup and what it's like to be a jockey at Cheltenham.
CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Rachael Blackmore on A Plus Tard Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Winning The Gold Cup Last Year
“The Gold Cup is what the whole week at Cheltenham builds up towards, it’s the biggest race of the week and a race that every jockey would love to win. Finishing second in it the year before, you think that could be the closest you ever get to a win in the Gold Cup," said the 31-year-old.
“But to actually achieve it last year and be lucky enough to say I have now won the race will be a feeling I will never forget.”
“I think it is what the whole year builds up towards and it really is the pinnacle of our year. It is an extremely special place to ride a winner.
“It’s the crowd, the atmosphere, the hype and the history as well.”
Pressure at Cheltenham
“There is so much expectation going into a week like this but I think it is pressure that you want," added the the jockey
"I want to feel it going into next week because that, in turn, means I have got some very good rides next week. It is pressure but it is, strangely, pressure that you crave and that you want. It just means that you are going to Cheltenham with some good rides.
"I don’t know, everyone has different ways of managing it but you just have to be thankful that it is there and get on with it.”
Coming up the Cheltenham Hill and the commentator
“In the Gold Cup for example, you are so focussed on what is going on in the race so you actually can’t hear the sound of the crowd as much as you think you might," Blackmore went on to say.
"When you cross the line, it’s like all of a sudden - when A Plus Tard did it for example - you let all of the external elements in and you are just flooded with this immense noise. It is incredible.
"It’s strange but sometimes you can hear the commentator over the crowd and that can actually help you as a rider. Like, if you land over the last, then the tone of the commentator can help you figure out if a horse is closing on you or if you’re a good bit in front.
"But the minute you cross that line, it is like someone just hits the volume switch and turns it right up.”
We are just 1️⃣ week away from the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup! 🏆
Last year, A Plus Tard absolutely smashed them under Rachael Blackmore! 🤯🔴⚪️🔵
Galopin Des Champs is the clear market favourite to win the big one this year, can he do it? 👀🟡🟤pic.twitter.com/Qqvbm55FKy— RacingGav (@RacingGav) March 10, 2023
