Sinoria earns Festival tilt

RACHAEL Blackmore showed why she led the Irish jump jockeys’ table for so long this season with a very muscular ride to win Punchestown’s Listed EBF Novices’ Hurdle on Sinoria.

Blackmore now splits Paul Townend and Davy Russell at the head of the championship and it was Russell and the favourite Chosen Mate who could not cope with Blackmore’s power-packed rally after taking a half-length lead into the final flight.

The versatile three-quarter length winner, who had won over half a mile further (2m4f) at Down Royal in December and missed a race at Leopardstown last weekend when in season, was made a 7-1 chance by Paddy Power for the Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Brave

“We will have to consider the Mares’ Novices’ at Cheltenham for her now,” said trainer Henry De Bromhead. “We are in a very fortunate position having Honeysuckle, who is owned by Kenny Alexander as well.

“She’s really tough and it was a great move by Rachael at the second last. She said Sinoria was very brave coming down to the last with the other horse leaning on her.”

Riders Onthe Storm and Impact Factor failed to cause much of a stir in the Arkle Chase market but did come 23