Rachael Blackmore is adamant that last year’s Cheltenham Festival glory will have no bearing on her return on Tuesday.
Blackmore was the leading jockey at the Festival 12 months ago with six winners before going on to become the first woman in history to win the Grand National.
But following her return to Cheltenham this week, she said: “We’re already talking about Cheltenham and Aintree this year so what happened last year seems to be fading a bit more.
“It’s probably something that will sink in when you’ve got grey hair and you can enjoy what happened.
“But it’s a constant, revolving wheel and, as a jockey, you’re looking forward. It’s always ‘what’s next?’ That’s the way you’re looking as a jockey. I’m just really looking forward to getting back to Cheltenham.”
Blackmore is hotly tipped to get off to a winning start as she reunites with the Henry de Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle in a defence of the Champion Hurdle win a year ago.
Of the pair’s chances, she said: “The expectation is there but I know how hard it is to get winners at Cheltenham, I’m realistic. Honeysuckle has never let me down to this date so I can’t see why this year would be any different.”
