RACH PICKINGS

Jockey dedicates wins to late cousin

- ROBERT HYNES

• Party time on St Patrick's Thursday

RACHAEL Blackmore completed a sensational 152/1 double by riding two horses to victory on the same day - and dedicated both wins to her late cousin.

The 35-year-old began the perfect afternoon when she steered Air Of Entitlement (16/1) home in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

She followed that up with another stunning win on board the 8/1 shot Bob Olinger in the Stayers' Hurdle.

Speaking after the first triumph, the Tipperary woman said: "I want to dedicate this to my cousin, Robert Blackmore, who passed away at the weekend, his funeral is today, so I want to dedicate this to him."

After adding the Stayers' Hurdle to her long list of success, she said: "I'm very lucky to get on these horses.

"He was brilliant. He has so much speed and was able to use it there today.

"We went a good gallop and he was still able to pick up off the back of it.

She added: "We were all going out there... Everyone had the same plan from his team. It either works riding like that, or it doesn't. When everyone is committed to it, it makes it easy.

"He's unbeaten around here. I know one day it was a fortuitous win, but he's got luck on his side around here. He's a very, very good horse."

She said of the winning trainer De Bromhead: "When you're riding for Henry, it's a great help.