Blackmore wins on Arahecan

Tuesday's HRI National Hunt Award recipient Rachael Blackmore extended her lead in the Jockeys' Championship today on Henry De Bromhead's Arahecan (4/1), winner of the Armstrong Memorial Beginners Chase at Down Royal.

Arahecan, a son of Arakan, failed to win his seven previous starts, finishing second three times, but jump fences he can, as he arrived from off the pace to comfortably beat runner-up Reine Fee

Blackmore, who is set to ride Monalee in the King George at Kempton on St Stephen's Day, was riding her 59th winner this season, and leads chasing Paul Townend by three in the Jockeys Championship.

Following the win, De Bromhead's travelling head lad Alan Cody commented "he (Arahecan) did everything right and he jumped great. He's a super jumper.

"He has come on from his last run where he got tired at the third last down in Cork. He came on a lot from it as you saw there.

"Hopefully he can progress, we'll have to wait and see."

Quotes from Michael Graham