Air Of Entitlement gives de Bromhead his first win of this year's Cheltenham Festival
Rachael Blackmore onboard Air Of Entitlement celebrates winning the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle Photo: ©INPHO/Tom Maher
Frustration over a lack of form recently and two blanks day on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Cheltenham was blown away for Henry De Bromhead in the first on Thursday as Rachael Blackmore led Air Of Entitlement (16-1) to deny fellow Irish challenger Sixandahalf by half a length in the opening Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
De Bromhead said: “We knew we had the stamina and the New Course suits horses with that. We always worry about being too handy in that race, but Rachael was spot on.
“I thought they went a real good gallop and she gave her some spin. It was a little bit like Telmesomethinggirl a few years ago.
“We weren’t as far back as we normally are, but she stayed on really well. I thought when we winged the last we had a chance.
“I knew Keith (Donoghue on Sixandahalf) had been up there the whole way and historically that hasn’t worked as we have had a couple that did that.
“That straight is a long way up there so I thought we had a chance after jumping the last so I’m delighted.
“I always say I prefer coming here fresh and happy rather than feeling that I have to justify myself coming here.
“She was in Colin Bowe’s and she will have jumped more fences than most of those mares in that race. Colin Bowe is so good at what he does. She was there as a point-to-pointer and she jumped well for Sean Flanagan at Down Royal.
“It is always a concern (the lack of hurdles experience), but I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t concerned about something.
“We will enjoy today and see, but she is a mare with stamina. She is classy and is really exciting. I’m delighted for Robcour as they are brilliant supporters of our yard and of the game.
“All the horses yesterday had a similar chance to her in my mind. You just need it to fall for you.”
Successful jockey Rachael Blackmore said: “it’s a magical place to be up here. It's brilliant, she did it really well, she came through the race lovely. I want to dedicate this to my cousin, Robert Blackmore, who passed away at the weekend, his funeral is today, so I want to dedicate this to him.”
She added: “We (the de Bromhead team) have had a quieter [first] two days. Walking home on Tuesday, I feel I’ve be spoilt the last couple of years getting to go home with a winner on the Tuesday. Henry just does such an incredible job with them when he brings them over here for Cheltenham, they all run above themselves and I’m very lucky to be on some of their backs.”
