RACHAEL Blackmore rode two winners at her local track Clonmel on Thursday evening.
Recently crowned the champion claiming professional jump jockey, Blackmore won the Ancient East Mares' Maiden Hurdle aboard the Con O'Keeffe-trained Nicaragua. The 9/2 shot made all the running to score by two and a half lengths. Odds-on favourite Lareena, representing Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh, was never a factor.
Blackmore was on the mark again in the appropriately named Sliabh Na mBan Handicap Hurdle when she partnered the Bill Harney-trained Millen Dollar Man (14/1) to a three-length success.
The stewards were required to confirm the result of the Quirke uPVC Windows Handicap Hurdle, a race which saw Stormey and Fiesole make contact in the closing stages. Stormey passed the post almost two lengths to the good and was allowed to keep the race for trainer Stephen Mahon and jockey Denis O'Regan.
The closing mares' bumper also saw a tight finish as Ladysingstheblues (7/4 favourite) edged home from Blixt (3/1). Patrick Mullins, rider of the runner-up was seen to exchange words with winning rider Danny Benson after passing the post. The stewards held an enquiry but allowed the result to stand.
There were two other winning favourites on the night - Ornua (5/4) took the two-mile conditions hurdle for Henry de Bromhead and Brian O'Connell, while Vanishing Point justified 13/8 favouritism in the two and a half-mile maiden hurdle.
Trainer Eoin Doyle and jockey Sean Flanagan combined to win the handicap hurdle over the same distance with 8/1 shot Jefferson Davis.
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