Rachael Blackmore has four rides on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, including Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle.
The Tipperary rider was crowned the leading jockey at the meeting 12 months ago and plenty of punters will be backing her for more success this week.
Speaking to BetVictor ahead of the meeting, she said: "Cheltenham is finally here, and I am very excited for things to get going and to have crowds back to roar us home up the hill. I have some lovely rides across the week, so let’s hope we can have some success."
And here's what Blackmore had to say about each of her rides on day one:
Couer Sublime
"My first ride of the day comes in the Arkle, where Couer Sublime lines up. He won well at Gowran Park the last day by ten lengths and was behind Ferny Hollow on his two other chase runs this season. He has taken to jumping fences well, so I’m looking forward to him here."
Honeysuckle
"Then it is all about Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle. She is in great form and has travelled over very well. Coleman, who rides her out every day, is happy with her, so we are all very excited to see her run. It should be quite the race. Hopefully, all goes well, and she keeps doing what she does best!"
Telmesomethinggirl
"My next ride is in the same silks in the Mares Hurdle on Telmesomthinggirl. She was a fantastic winner at the Festival last year in the Mares Novices and was one of the hardest horses to pull up after the race at the top of the hill. She enjoys running at Cheltenham and ran a great race at Leopardstown last time out when finishing third over Christmas."
Champion Green
"Then finally, I take the ride on Champion Green for Joseph O’Brien in the JP McManus silks. This looks like a typically competitive Boodles Handicap Hurdle and will be my first time riding him. He won a maiden hurdle in a professional style for Mark Walsh at Naas last time out but looks like he can be a little keen watching some of his previous runs."
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