Bookmakers fear ‘Rachael Factor’ as star jockey returns to UK after Grand National win at Aintree

BOOKMAKERS are fearing Rachael Blackmore's return to the UK and have dubbed her success the 'Rachael Factor'.

The Cheltenham Festival superstar rides leading fancy Plan Of Attack in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown today.

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The Irish raider made history when guiding Minella Times to a famous Aintree victory a fortnight ago.

And she is chasing a second big staying prize in as many weeks aboard the Henry de Bromhead-trained eight-year-old.

Coral's Andy Lobo said: "The Rachael factor is very much coming into play and he’s our 5-1 second favourite.

"Looking at his form, we are happy to take plenty of that along with the ever growing Blackmore fan club.

"You have to respect Paul Nicholls in these big Saturday handicaps though and we make his Enrilo our 9-2 favourite.

"We are paying five places and fancy his chances more than the likes of Kitty’s Light and El Presente at 15-2."

De Bromhead said Blackmore was keen to travel over to ride the horse, who was a late faller when going well in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival.

Blackmore arrives in Surrey on the back of landing a treble at Kilbeggan in Ireland last night.

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Her last race - a win on 5-4 favourite Cavalry Master - came at 7.55pm so she faces a quick turnaround before going for gold at Sandown.

De Bromhead said: "Plan Of Attack seemed to be going well and all I can tell you is Rachael is very keen to go over and ride him.

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"I wouldn’t be a great tipster myself, but she seems keen!

"We’re going to take our chance. It’s three miles, five furlongs and, — like we saw with Minella Times in the Grand National — this guy hasn’t really been tried over this kind of trip before."

The trainer added: "Rachael is brilliant to work with and knows how hard you have to work to succeed.

"She gets on with everyone and knows how to ride winners.

"I’ve said it all before, but I think she’s just brilliant — we’re very lucky to have her."

Blackmore, 31, has taken racing by storm this year.

She made history as the first woman to be crowned top jockey at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival in March.

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Then she made headlines worldwide when becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National earlier this month.

Blackmore will next week look to make more history in the Punchestown Festival.

She can beat Paul Townend to be crowned champion jockey in Ireland - that would be another first for a woman jockey.

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