HENRY DE BROMHEAD hailed Rachael Blackmore as an “incredible lady” after her sensational Cheltenham double.
The 35-year-old started Thursday by winning the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on the back of Air Of Entitlement.
And she ended it by riding Bob Olinger to victory in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle – a third career Festival winner with the ten-year-old.
Speaking after the latter, trainer Henry de Bromhead offered glowing praise of both Blackmore and Bob Olinger.
He said: “I’m delighted for the horse, he’s an incredible horse. He had such a reputation a few years ago.
“Things didn’t work out as well as we thought, but to see him come back and do that is amazing.
“Rachael gave him such a ride, she was brilliant on him.
“She’s an incredible lady, delighted for her as well, and the Achesons (owners), who are tremendous supporters of us and the game.”
Winning the Stayers’ Hurdle meant Blackmore completed the ‘big five’ of Cheltenham Grade Ones.
She added it to the previously captured Gold Cup, Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle, and Ryanair Chase.
And speaking to ITV, 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.
“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.”
Owner Brian Acheson said of Bob Olinger: “He’s the dude.
“He’s the third child. I’m fed up of saying it. There’s Courtney, there’s Rob, and then there’s Bob.
“He is the one guy that makes me emotional all the time. To have a special horse like that. I am going to start crying.
“He was our first Cheltenham winner in the Covid year when we weren’t here.
“Him in this place and him in Rachael, it is just magical, it really is.
“The two of them just get it and they get each other.”
