'It's just relief' – Rachael Blackmore back among the winners as July Flower blooms at the perfect time

She's back! And boy have we missed her. The greatest female jump jockey of all time had not had a winner since September as a nasty neck injury kept her out for three months, but Rachael Blackmore was back doing what she does best at Leopardstown on Sunday – riding winners.

July Flower bloomed at the perfect time for Blackmore, who returned to the saddle at Naas a fortnight ago. She had been hitting the crossbar since her comeback, but she hit the back of the net in the Grade 3 Beat The Bank.ie Irish EBF Mares Hurdle on a five-year-old who could have a very bright future.

Last seen finishing third, just behind Hewick, in the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil in May, Henry de Bromhead's new recruit made light of her 225-day absence and produced some stunning leaps on the way to a four-length victory over Kala Conti.

"It's just relief to be back in the winner's enclosure again," Blackmore replied when asked to describe the feeling as she passed the line in front. "The reason you ride is to try to ride winners. It's great when you get one, they are hard to get!"

On July Flower, she added: "She can be keen but she settled lovely today. The race panned out ideally for her and she picked up again in the straight.

"Her jumping is exceptional; that's a big asset to her. She's got some really good form in France and it was great to see her reproduce that over here."

2,000 not out for Elliott

On a golden day for Gordon Elliott where Brighterdaysahead handed him a 100th Grade 1 triumph, he had earlier reached another significant career milestone when The Enabler provided him with his 2,000th jumps winner in Ireland in the opening maiden hurdle.

Speaking about the achievement of getting 2,000 jumps winners in his home country, Elliott said: "It's brilliant and I'm delighted for everyone.

"You dream about doing something like that, but it’s a testament to all the owners and our staff. We have a great bunch of young horses and we have been rebuilding for the last couple of years."

On the performance of The Enabler, who dug deep in the closing stages to fend off the late surge of I Am Lorenzo by a short head, Elliott added: "He was good there today and just got a bit close to the last. I’m not sure what his trip is as he wasn’t getting home over three miles and two miles looked too short, but he got the job done and that's all that matters for now.

"Michael and Anita [O'Leary] are racing here today and it’s great to get them a winner. The Enabler looks like a real chaser for next year."

Paddy Power trimmed The Enabler to 33-1 (from 40) for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The hot favourite Argento Boy, sent off 8-13, didn't jump well and was pulled up before the last by Paul Townend.

The Enabler (Sam Ewing) lands the opening maiden hurdle, giving Gordon Elliott his 2,000th jumps winner in Ireland Credit: CAROLINE NORRIS

Dingle delivers for connections

The loudest roar of the whole day came when Ol Man Dingle completed a hat-trick in the 2m4f novice handicap hurdle for Eoin Griffin and Ricky Doyle.

Speaking after the 20-1 shot delivered in style, Griffin said: "Brian [Caherty, owner] has a big crowd down with him from Armagh and I’m delighted for him."

They certainly let us know they were here.

The winning trainer added: "We had him kind of laid out for this race. He hadn’t run for a while as we gave him a little break. You are always a little bit apprehensive about whether you have done enough or given him too much time off, but I couldn’t have been happier with him coming here."

Cromwell still on cloud nine

There is no stopping the Gavin Cromwell camp as 20-1 chance Al Gasparo won the Listed Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle, making it five winners in five days for the stable under a superbly judged ride from 5lb claimer Conor Stone-Walsh.

Cromwell said: "I’d say it’s important for him to be fresh. He’s good when he gets into that rhythm and gets it easy on his own. It was a good performance. It’s in the lap of the handicapper now, but he’s a lad who will jump a fence.”

Last to first in bumper

Carrigmoornaspruce came from last to first to land the concluding winners' bumper for the Queallys.

Declan Queally said of his filly after the 10-1 success: "She was unreal. It was kind of the same as Naas. We just said to the boys that we would let her gallop around at the back and come home as well as we can. We’re planning on coming here for the mares' bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival. It worked out and she’s a very talented filly."

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