Rachael Blackmore chases historic Gold Cup win on A Plus Tard – the horse who gave her first Cheltenham winner

RACHAEL BLACKMORE is chasing a historic Gold Cup win with A Plus Tard - the horse which gave her a first Cheltenham win.

Blackmore, whose first win at Cheltenham was in 2019 on the Gold Cup contender, is aiming to become the first female jockey to win the showpiece race.

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Blackmore said: "It was such a special moment. I remember landing after the last and just being amazed at how he sprinted up the hill.

"I never thought he would go up the hill that fast but it tells now what kind of a class he is. He's a Grade 1, two-mile and three-mile winner and a seriously classy horse."

Blackmore, a , has been the star of this year's Cheltenham with a double on Thursday taking her to four wins for the festival - the most of any rider.

Al Boum Photo has won the Gold Cup for the last two years and Blackmore knows this is the one to beat in the race.

Blackmore said: "You try and envisage what might happen but things change. Last year we didn't go much of a gallop and on paper we were going to.

"You can only do so much analysing because as we all know in racing things change at the start and you have to ride the race as it comes.

"Al Boum Photo has been incredible the last two years and he's the horse we all have to beat. I'm really looking forward to riding the race and it's going to be a great spectacle."

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