Rachael Blackmore is set to return to race-riding at Naas on Monday, following three months on the sidelines through injury.
The record-breaking Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National-winning rider has been absent from the racecourse since suffering a neck injury in a fall at Downpatrick in late September.
In her absence, Darragh O’Keeffe has come in for the majority of the rides aboard trainer Henry de Bromhead’s horses, enjoying big-race success with the likes of Envoi Allen at Down Royal and Quilixios at Naas, as well as steering this weekend’s Coral Gold Cup contender Senior Chief to a lucrative victory at Cheltenham.
Blackmore is jocked up to ride two de Bromhead-trained horses at Naas on Monday, starting with Slade Steel in the opening beginners chase. The pair memorably won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last March.
Later on the card Blackmore partners Belle The Tigress in a mares' maiden hurdle.