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.
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