Rachel Blackmore has followed up yesterday's history-making day with her second winner of the Cheltenham festival, riding favourite Bob Olinger to win the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained 6-year-old powered up the hill to start St Patrick's Day with an Irish one-two, as the Willie Mullins-trained Gaillard de Mesnil crossed the line in second.
Having drifted out to 15/8 in the hour before the race, Bob Olinger eventually went off the 6/4 favourite ahead of Gaillard de Mesnil at 9/4, and settled into second place early on behind the Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame.
Despite losing some ground on the fourth-last hurdle, Blackmore negotiated position once again before making her move two out.
It looked like an all-Irish shootout between Bob Olinger and Gaillard du Mesnil from there, but Blackmore's mount kicked on to take a three length lead to the final flight.
And after safely navigating that final hurdle, the favourite coasted up the hill to make it a second winner for the Blackmore - de Bromhead ticket, ahead of their crack at the Queen Mother Champion Chase later on outsider Notebook.
Third place was taken by Bravemansgame at odds of 4/1.
READ: John Duggan's Wednesday Cheltenham Charity bets
READ: Thom Malone's tips for Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival
Catch the Cheltenham Festival Show every morning on OTB Sports from 10.30.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
