Blackmore and Frost in with chance of breaking new barrier in National
Aim to become first woman to land Aintree prize ‘full of excitement’ about ride on Sub Lieutenant
There will be at least three female jockeys riding in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday wee k, with Rachael Blackmore, Bryony Frost and Tabitha Worsley all set to take part in the world’s greatest race.
No woman has ridden a National winner, but breaking barriers is nothing new to Blackmore and Frost. Blackmore this month became the first female to ride the Champion Hurdle winner, and to be leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, while Frost became the first to win the King George VI Chase in December.
Blackmore has the choice of Henry de Bromhead’s two “likely” runners, Chris’s Dream, a 33-1 shot, and Balko Des Flos, 40-1, and a “possible” third, Minella Times, who is as short as 14-1.
The last race Balko Des Flos won was the Ryanair Chase in 2018 but he has run well at Aintree round the Mildmay course. Last time out, he unseated Blackmore in the Glenfarclas Cross-country at Cheltenham behind Tiger Roll, but the ground is coming in his favour.
Chris’s Dream, who was only beaten a neck in the Grade One Ladbrokes Chase over three miles at Down Royal first time out this season, was pulled up in this season’s Ryanair behind Allaho.
“He’s been earmarked for the National for a long time, but they are both high class on their day,” said the Waterford trainer. “Minella Times [who has not been out of the first two in three starts this season] is working his way up. He would also have a squeak if he runs.”
Frost, whose best National
placing was fifth on Milansbar behind Tiger Roll in 2018, schooled Yala Enki over Aintree-style fences in Lambourn yesterday.
“He jumped great,” said trainer Paul Nicholls. “In the Becher Chase [in December], he went tanking into the first, which he can be a bit inclined to do, and fell, but he jumped round brilliantly loose and Bryony said his jumping has been brilliant since.
“I will also run Give Me A Copper, which Harry [Cobden] will ride. He ran well on his seasonal debut but he can sulk a bit, so we’ve kept him fresh and sometimes the race can
entertain horses which sulk. But I’d say Yala Enki is our best chance, he’s a strong stayer with a touch of class.”
It is the third and least known of the trio, Worsley, who can actually claim the best record over the National fences; one win from one ride, having triumphed in the Foxhunters’ two years ago on Top Wood, a result which she used to help her turn professional.
She will ride Sub Lieutenant, who is trained by her mother, Georgie Howell. Howell trains half a dozen horses near Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire. He was formerly trained by De Bromhead and gave Blackmore a
super spin over the fences to finish second in the Topham Chase in 2019.
During Cheltenham, Worsley rode out in the mornings for De Bromhead with Blackmore. “Henry said he can see Sub Lieutenant running a really nice race, so let’s hope he isn’t wrong,” said Worsley.
“I asked Rachael about him and she said if you think he jumps a normal fence well, then wait until you get him over one of those Aintree fences. She said he won’t travel between the fences but as soon as he is in those wings he just lights up, so that filled me with excitement.”