Rachael Blackmore has revealed she has yet to fulfill a promise made to her boyfriend Brian Hayes and their housemate Patrick Mullins prior to her Grand National win 12 months ago.
The trio had pledged that if any of them won the National they would foot the bill for a trip to Las Vegas and Blackmore has not been able to get off the hook after her famous win.
“They haven’t let me forget, don’t worry!” she said.
“We haven’t had a conversation about this year, but double or quits is a good idea! They haven’t forgotten and they will probably end up booking the flights at the most expensive time to go there!”
Previously speaking about living with Hayes and Mullins, Blackmore said: "I live with two other jockeys, Patrick Mullins and Brian Hayes. I am going out with Brian Hayes, so there are three of us here.
"It is a great house to live in and it is in a really good location in Leighlinbridge. It is close to all the race tracks in Ireland.
She added: "We don't talk about racing half as much as people might think, it is just a normal house when we come home."
Blackmore will once again partner Minella Times in the Aintree showpiece on Saturday, but admits things will be tougher with the gelding's higher weight.
The Tipperary jockey said: “The weight is not ideal, but that’s the situation we’re in. He’s in great form at home, his runs this year have been a bit disappointing but he really does seem in great form at home now.
“Henry’s extremely happy with him, so I’m really looking forward to it.
“It’s very cool walking in and seeing some of the pictures up from last year and that sort of thing. It brings back very good memories.
“We’ll be giving it our best shot, it’s a race that you need a lot of luck in and we got plenty of that luck last year, so hopefully there’s a bit left for this year.”
Minella Times has run twice since his Aintree triumph last season and failed to finish on both occasions, but trainer Henry de Bromhead found him to be struggling with some slight injury issues that have now been rectified.
“Henry found a few niggling problems with him and he’s sorted them out, he’s really in top form at home, he’s schooling very well and seems in top form. We couldn’t be happier with him in that sense,” Blackmore said.
“I worked him a couple of weeks ago and he felt super, we’re really looking forward to him.
“He really enjoyed it last year, he jumped from fence to fence and that has to be a big plus. The weight is the weight and there’s no point in me getting too caught up on that.”
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