Rachael Blackmore's golden week continued when Allaho ran out a spectacular winner of the Ryanair Chase.
She took Willie Mullins' charge to the front as soon as the tapes went up, stablemate Min trying to keep tabs throughout.
However by the third last he was beaten as the winner, in full rhythm, poured on the pressure.
All he needed was two sound leaps at the final fences, which he duly delivered, and he galloped on to the line to win, unextended, by 12 lengths from Fakir D'Oudairies and Tornado Flyer.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) March 18, 2021
RESULT: 2.30 Cheltenham - Ryanair Chase
1st ALLAHO 3/1 favourite
2nd Fakir D'Oudairies 11/2
3rd Tornado Flyer 25/1
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Mullins said: “That was an awesome performance. I thought Min would go with him every step of the way but his jumping wasn’t up to scratch, we might have to look at that.
“Allaho did everything right. The first thing I did when Rachael came back was lift the number cloth to see if the lead was still in there as it looked like he was just carrying Rachael!
“He was just awesome, his galloping and jumping, if he puts the two together – I was hoping he could do that over three miles, but if he’s only a two-and-a-half-miler that will do me.
“I think aggressive tactics suit him, watching at home he just gallops and jumps.
“I was as gobsmacked as anyone watching it, I fully expected the two of them to collapse at the third-last but that is their style, we just had to hope one would be good enough.
“We might try three miles again, maybe the King George, we’ll see what connections think.”
Blackmore, who was notching her fourth success at the meeting, said: “It’s incredible, as a jockey when you’re getting legged up on these kind of horses for Henry de Bromhead and Willie Mullins, they just know their job. It’s fantastic.
“He was just jumping and travelling, he’s a real galloper, that’s how I rode him and it was either going to work or it wasn’t and it worked. It’s fantastic. It’s an unbelievable position I’m in.
“When you are riding for two powerful stables it makes a jockey’s job a lot easier, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be in this position and getting these types of chances.
"How would I describe this week? Out of this world.”
Blackmore later became the most successful female jockey in Cheltenham Festival history by taking her career tally to eight - and fifth for the week - by riding Telmesomethinggirl to victory.
That tally eclipses the seven winners Nina Carberry managed during her trailblazing career earlier this century. Blackmore's remarkable record-breaking week could well continue on Friday as she bids to become the first female to not only win the Gold Cup - when she rides A Plus Tard - but also top the Cheltenham Festival jockey standings. She currently leads by two from Jack Kennedy.
Bookmaker reaction
Betfair and Paddy Power offer 5/1 about the winner following up in next year's renewal - Sky Bet are 6/1.
Their Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners said: "That was a scintillating performance and arguably one of the performances of the Festival.
"The sheer power he showed to pull away from a very good field was brilliant to watch. This trip looks ideal for him and you would imagine that this race will be targeted for a good few years to come."
