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Rachael Blackmore Day 2 Cheltenham Runners: Captain Guinness is a classy horse

Rachael Blackmore
15 March 2023
3:00 min read

Rachael Blackmore has six chances on Wednesday

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Betfair ambassador Rachael Blackmore has six rides on day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival, including a lively outsider in the Champion Chase and a bumper runner for Willie Mullins. Read her thoughts on them all here.

Rachael discusses her six rides on Wednesday
Captain Guinness is in great order at home
Gin On Lime has schooled well

Listen to Rachael react on Honeysuckle victory!

A well-deserved carrot for a legendary Cheltenham champion

@LHayhoe speaks exclusively to @rachaelblackmor and Honeysuckle following their win in the Mares' Hurdle yesterday pic.twitter.com/nhS9QG48PL
-- Betfair Racing (@BetfairRacing) March 15, 2023

Amirite (14:10) declared NR

Appreciate step up in trip

14:50 - Watch House Cross

Watch House Cross was beaten in his first three chases earlier this season, but he was much better back over hurdles in the Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle at Naas in November.

He seemed to improve for the fitting of cheekpieces as well, and he battled on well to just hold on in a very competitive handicap over two and a half miles.

He was beaten last time in another competitive handicap at Leopardstown off a 6lb higher mark, but that was over two miles.

He should appreciate going back up in trip in the Coral Cup. He goes well on soft ground and he seems to be in great form at home. He is still lightly raced, he still has the potential to improve more, and he goes into the race with a good each-way chance.

No. 13

Watch House Cross (Ire)

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Age: 6
Weight: 11st 5lbs
OR: 142

In great order at home

15:30 - Captain Guinness

Captain Guinness has been running solidly all year.

He was impressive in winning the Fortria Chase at Navan in November on his seasonal debut, and he finished second behind Blue Lord in the Grade 1 Paddy's Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, when he had good horses behind him.

He is going to have to improve again on that if he is going to be involved in the Champion Chase, he has a little bit to find on ratings, but he's in great order at home, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ran above his rating and his odds. He's a classy horse, and he deserves to take his chance in a race like this.

No. 1

Captain Guinness (Ire)

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Age: 8
Weight: 11st 10lbs
OR: -

Gin On Lime schooled great

16:10 - Gin On Lime

I'm looking forward to riding Gin On Lime in the Cross-Country Chase. This will be her first run in a race over the cross-country track, but she schooled over the course a couple of months ago, and she was good. I schooled her over the track again on Monday morning, and she went great.

Not many horses have won the Cross-Country Chase on their first run at the track in the past. But the fact that she seems to really enjoy it is obviously a big positive.

She hasn't run since she finished fourth in the Kerry National at Listowel in September, but she seems to be in really good form, and I'd be hoping that she can run into a place at least.

No. 15

Gin On Lime (Fr)

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Age: 7
Weight: 11st 0lbs
OR: -

Goes well on soft ground

16:50 - Epson Du Houx

I ride Epson Du Houx in the Grand Annual, and I hope that he can run well. He ran well the last day in the Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Chase at Fairyhouse to finish third behind Rebel Gold, and Rebel Gold has since won the Grade 3 Newlands Chase.

No. 9

Epson Du Houx (Fr)

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Age: 9
Weight: 11st 6lbs
OR: 147

Epson Du Houx used to be quite keen, but he is settling better now, he is much more straightforward than he used to be. He goes well on soft ground, so soft ground would be a positive for him.

Impressive at Naas

17:30 - Western Diego

No. 17

Western Diego (Ire)

Trainer: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Age: 6
Weight: 11st 7lbs
OR: -

Western Diego is a lovely ride to pick up for Willie Mullins in the Champion Bumper. It's never easy for Paddy to choose which of Willie's to ride in the bumper.

Everything that Willie runs has to be respected obviously, they all have their chances, and Western Diego was impressive in winning his bumper at Naas on his only run to date on the racecourse.