March is the month that the Cheltenham Festival dominates the back pages for four days of horseracing action which can send winning jockeys into the mainstream.
One such champion is Ireland’s Rachael Blackmore. A favourite with the general public following her triumph in the 2021 Grand National which made her the first female jockey to win the famous race.
At Cheltenham, Blackmore has cemented her place as one of the best jockeys around riding 16 winners at the festival including A Plus Tard in the 2022 Gold Cup where she repeated her previous feat and became the first female jockey the prestigious trophy.
Last year she opened the four-day meeting with a win in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle atop Slade Steel before taking victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase with Captain Guinness. Those were her only two winners in 2024 but she’s back to challenge for the greatest honours and titles this time around.
Below, we’ll list all the horses Blackmore is riding on each day of the festival 2025 and rank their chances of winning:
Which horses is Rachael Blackmore riding?
Friday 14 March
1.20pm – JCB Triumph Hurdle
Blue Lemons – Age: 4, Weight: 11-2, Trainer: Willie Mullins
3.20pm – Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
Argento Bay – Age: 6, Weight: 11-7, Trainer: Willie Mullins
4pm – Cheltenham Gold Cup
Monty’s Star – Age: 8, Weight 11-10, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Thursday 13 March
1.20pm – Ryanair Mares’ Novices Hurdle
Air of Entitlement – Age: 6, Weight: 11-4, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead - Won
3.20pm – Ryanair Chase
Envoi Allen – Age: 11, Weight: 11-10, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
4pm – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
Bob Olinger – Age: 10, Weight: 11-10, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead - Won
Wednesday 12 March
2.40pm: Coral Cup Hurdle
Ballyadam - Age: 10, Weight: 11-12, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
4pm: Champion Chase
Captain Guinness - Age: 10, Weight 11-10, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
4.40pm: Grand Annual Chase
Dancing On My Own - Age: 11, Weight 11-10, Trainer Henry de Bromhead
Tuesday 11 March
1.20pm: Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Chase
Workahead - Age: 7, Weight: 11-7, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
2.40pm: Ultima Handicap Chase
The Short Go - Age: 8, Weight: 10-8, Trainer Henry de Bromhead
3.20pm: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
July Flower - Age: 6, Weight: 11-5, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
4.40pm: Boodles Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle
Murcia - Age: 4, Weight, 11-2, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Which horses have the best chance of winning?
Two outstanding victories on St. Patrick’s Thursday with Air Of Entitlement and Bob Olinger got Blackmore off the mark in this year’s festival and she’ll be looking to end it on a high note with three more chances at victory on Gold Cup day.
Claiming a second Gold Cup, after her win in 2022, might be a bit of a stretch but after her wins yesterday you can’t count it out. Here’s how we see Blackmore’s chances for the final day of the festival:
3. Monty’s Star - This choice has nothing to do with Blackmore’s horse and everything to do with his competitior Galopin Des Champs. The two-time Gold Cup winner from the previous two festivals seems a shoe-in to make it three in a row but Monty’s Star may push him for a close race.
2. Blue Lemons - Won his last race by three lengths when ridden by Paul Townend at Gowran Park. This is a step up in class and odds of 14/1 ahead of the race may reveal some uncertainty from the bookies on how he’ll perform.
1. Argento Bay - Another recent winner with Townend, this time at Punchestown, this six-year-old holds surprise on his side. The Big Westerner is the overnight favourite at 5/1 so odds of 10/1 for Blackmore’s horse isn’t too far off and with a feel for the new course she could pull off another fine win.
Cheltenham Festival 2025 race card, dates, start times and full four-day schedule
When is the Gold Cup? Runners and riders for Cheltenham Festival 2025
Cheltenham Festival 2025: How to watch every race online and on TV
‘Toilets like a WWI latrine’ – Why are people deserting Cheltenham Festival?
Top 20 Betting Sites and Free Bets for Cheltenham Day 4
Rachael Blackmore’s ‘magical’ double leads Irish surge on St. Patrick’s Thursday
