GIVEN the year she’s had, it’s hard to see how Rachael Blackmore could possibly win anything in 2022 that she hasn’t won already.
That hasn’t stopped the leading bookmakers pricing up a number of potential scenarios involving the leading jockey and it’s only mildly surprising that they haven’t quoted her for the Rose of Tralee. Come to think of it, she could possibly win that too if entered.
Mind you, the 6/4 from BoyleSports on Rachael being named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year again makes no appeal. No matter what she does in 2022, the judges won’t give it to anyone in racing for another few years. It will probably go to a rugby player, golfer or GAA All-Star.
None of the Cheltenham Festival specials catch the eye either.
How could you take Ladbrokes’ 5/4 about Nicky Henderson saddling the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner after watching Sir Gerhard’s performance at Leopardstown this week?
Looking ahead to the flat, are you a Native Trail fan or are you in the Luxembourg camp? You can back either one of them at 16/1 to complete the Guineas-Derby double.
The John Gosden-trained Inspiral is much shorter at 7/1 to complete the fillies’ equivalent.
Pressed to recommend one of the novelty bets, I’ll take Paddy Power’s 5/4 about Wesley Ward to train a winner at Royal Ascot. Since 2013, he’s only missed once and he’s arguably been sending stronger teams in recent times.
PADDY POWER
5/4 Wesley Ward to train a winner at Royal Ascot
2/1 All runners to safely jump the first fence in the Aintree Grand National
8/1 Rachael Blackmore to ride the winner of the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup
10/1 Rachael Blackmore or Bryony Frost to ride the Grand National winner
14/1 Hollie Doyle to ride a British classic winner in 2022
40/1 Rachael Blackmore to ride the winner of the Gold Cup and Grand National
66/1 Willie Mullins to train the winners of the four championship races at the Cheltenham Festival
BETFAIR
12/1 Paul Nicholls to be leading trainer at the Cheltenham Festival
25/1 Bravemansgame to win the Browne Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham and the King George VI Chase at Kempton
LADBROKES
16/1 Rachael Blackmore to ride the winner of the Grand National
4/1 Rachael Blackmore to finish in the top four in the Grand National
10/1 Rachael Blackmore to ride the winner of the Irish Grand National
3/1 Rachael Blackmore to finish in the top four in the Irish Grand National
5/4 A Nicky Henderson-trained horse to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
5/1 An English-trained horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup
10/1 Honeysuckle (Champion Hurdle) and Shishkin (Champion Chase) to both win by over 4.5 lengths
12/1 The Grand National winner to have run in the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup
33/1 Bryony Frost to ride the winner of the Grand National
8/1 Bryony Frost to finish in the top four in the Grand National
4/1 Bryony Frost to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival
8/1 A Japanese-trained winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
8/1 European-trained winners of the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Turf, and Filly & Mare Turf
16/1 A European-trained winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic
7/1 Inspiral to win the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks
16/1 Native Trail to win the 2000 Guineas and the Derby
16/1 Luxembourg to win the 2000 Guineas and the Derby
BOYLESPORTS
6/4 Rachael Blackmore to be RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year
3/1 Nina Carberry to win Dancing With The Stars
6/1 Rachael Blackmore to be leading jockey at Cheltenham
16/1 Minella Times to win the 2022 Aintree Grand National
25/1 Luxembourg to win 2000 Guineas, the Derby & St Leger
SKY BET
12/1 Rachael Blackmore to ride the winner of the Grand National
20/1 Bryony Frost to ride the winner of the Grand National
8/1 Frankie Dettori to ride seven or more winners at Royal Ascot in 2022
4/1 Aidan O’Brien to saddle the winners of both the Epsom Derby & Oaks
7/1 Facile Vega to win any race at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival
7/1 Sir Gerhard to win the 2023 Arkle
14/1 Ferny Hollow to win the 2023 Champion Chase
7/1 Bravemansgame to win the 2022 King George
16/1 Bravemansgame to win the 2023 Gold Cup
BET365
14/1 Any horse to win the US Triple Crown
16/1 Native Trail to win the 2000 Guineas and Derby
16/1 Luxembourg to win the 2000 Guineas and Derby
12/1 Inspiral to win the 1000 Guineas and Oaks
HERE’S WHAT YOU COULD HAVE WON…
These bets offered 12 months ago for 2021 actually clicked. Were you on?
2/1 Aidan O’Brien to win the Epsom Oaks (Bet365)
5/1 Godolphin to win the Epsom Derby (Bet365)
7/1 Any horse to win at the Dubai World Cup meeting and at Royal Ascot (Subjectivist did it) (Bet365)
28/1 Irish-trained horses to win the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle and Gold Cup (Bet365)
5/4 Wesley Ward to train a winner at Royal Ascot (Ladbrokes)
3/1 Hollie Doyle to ride a winner at Royal Ascot (Ladbrokes)
10/1 Rachael Blackmore to be top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival (BoyleSports)
1/2 Colin Keane to be champion Irish flat jockey (BoyleSports)
4/9 Willie Mullins to champion Irish jumps trainer (BoyleSports)