Blackmore doubles up on Camlann

Rachael Blackmore completed a quick double at Wexford when steering Camlann to defy top-weight in the Vinegar Hill Handicap Hurdle.

Blackmore rode out her claim just half-an-hour earlier aboard Sweet Home Chicago and wasted no time resting on her laurels with winner number 61 to record a 26/1 plus double.

Camlann’s success was particularly apt as trainer Shark Hanlon has been her chief backer, and also provided Blackmore with her first ever win on Stowaway Pearl back in 2011.

Camlann headed the front-running Runyon Rattler away from the second last, and the 9/2 chance kept on well on the run-in to beat that rival by a length and a quarter. Zanjabeel was a further length and three quarters back in third.

Hanlon said, "I'm so glad to have a winner. I'm after having around eight or nine seconds since the beginning of May, and to break that duck was very important. We might go have a few winners now.

"We have no plan with Camlann. It's wide open for him, he could go on the flat, over hurdles or chasing. He has all options open for him.

"He is a consistent horse and never runs a bad race. The race this evening probably wasn't the strongest race in the world and Rachael gave him a great ride."

He added, "It's great to see Rachael ride out her claim and ride a winner for me on the same evening. She is a very good rider and she does everything right.

"I gave her her first ride ever on the track and point-to-pointing. I remember talking to her at the beginning and she said to me: "I don't think I'll ever ride out my claim, you needn't worry." She is after coming a long way, she is hard worker and deserves all the luck she gets.

"I had no jockey for a race in Thurles one day and Davy Russell recommended her to me, and since that day she has been with me."

(DM & AM)