Rachael Blackmore booked for 'very highly rated' mare in Aintree bumper

Rachael Blackmore is a high-profile jockey booking for Lady Excalibur in the mares’ bumper at Aintree on Thursday (5.15), with trainer Alan Jones believing the pair will suit each other perfectly.

Lady Excalibur was a double winner and unlucky runner-up in three starts in the summer and autumn and connections always felt Blackmore, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard last month, would get on well with the five-year-old – so much so they tried to book her for her Stratford debut in July.

Blackmore was unable to travel over due to injury but will partner the smart prospect in this week's Grade 2 event, having ridden stablemate Jack’s A Legend in a bumper at the meeting last season.

Aintree mares' bumper entries

Jones, who has 12 horses in training, said: “I’ve always felt Rachael would suit her and we tried to get her over for Lady Excalibur’s debut in the summer, but Rachael was injured at the time.

"She’s a small mare and being a quiet, sympathetic rider, I think Rachael will suit her really well. She’s a top rider.

“I rate Lady Excalibur very highly and she should be unbeaten really, it was just a slightly false-run race at Uttoxeter that didn’t play to her strengths – she’s a staying mare bred for the Flat and the race turned into a sprint.”

It has not been entirely straightforward to this point for Lady Excalibur, a €100,000 yearling purchase in 2018 who failed to make the track when in training with Richard Hannon for two years.

Jones said: “She struggled to get to the track in her early years and when she came to me she was going to go to stud as they didn’t think she was progressing as she should. Coming to a small yard and getting individual attention has definitely helped her and she clearly has ability.”

Lady Excalibur: won a bumper at Aintree under Harry Cobden in OctoberCredit: John Grossick Racing

Jones could be doubly represented on day one of the big meeting as Us And Them, formerly trained by Joseph O’Brien, could make his debut for the Somerset yard in the Red Rum Handicap Chase that precedes the mares’ bumper.

Us And Them finished second in four Grade 1 novice chases in 2018-19, including the Arkle and Maghull, but has not won since that season, most notably finishing third in the Grand Annual in 2020.

Jones said: “He’s in good form and I think I’ve got him working on an even keel, but he had lost his way a little last year.”

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