Rachael aims at Ascot win

HAVING conquered the Grand National, Rachael Blackmore attempts to make it a first at Royal Ascot today where she partners Cape Gentleman.

The 31-year-old became the first woman to win the Aintree spectacular on Minella Times weeks after being crowned the leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival.

The history-making rider teams up with Cape Gentleman, a 7-1 chance, in the Ascot Stakes for trainer Emmet Mullins, whose uncle

Willie is represented by three runners in the race that he attempts to win for the fifth time.

“Like every jockey riding at Royal Ascot, I’m excited to be there,” said Blackmore, left. “I’m really looking forward to it. “I’ve had an unbelievable year.” Blackmore spends the majority of her time riding over jumps for her boss Henry de Bromhead, but from just 53 rides on the Flat, Blackmore has partnered four winners – and four have finished in the frame.

Gay Kelleway led the way for female jockeys at the royal meeting with victory on Sprowston Boy in 1987 followed by Hayley Turner and Thanks Be in 2019.

Turner backed it up a year later with Onassis in the same race to become the first multiple-winning woman rider at the meeting.

Last year Hollie Doyle became the third woman to ride a royal winner on Scarlet Dragon in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes.