Blackmore back on the scoresheet as July Flower books Cheltenham ticket Rachael Blackmore partnered her first winner since returning from a spell of about three months on the sidelines as July Flower landed the Grade 3 Beat The Bank.ie Irish EBF Mares Hurdle at Leopardstown. The five-year-old had one run in a bumper for Henry de Bromhead before continuing her career in France and was having her first run back since rejoining the Knockeen trainer this season. The front-running Lot Of Joy was headed approaching the straight by Kala Conti who in turn was headed by July Flower bypassing the final hurdle which was omitted due to the low sun. The 15/2 chance kept on well inside the final furlong to score by four lengths, with Jetara not finding any extra a further 12 lengths back in third. De Bromhead said, “She jumped great and Rachael was brilliant on her. “I’m delighted for Duncan (Angove, owner) who was happy to buy her during the summer and obviously she’s a valuable broodmare as well. “We had her when she was a younger mare and we liked her then so when she came back on the market we were delighted to get her. “We bought her to win the Mares Hurdle so the dream is alive and we’ll probably head straight there now.” Paddy Power and Betfair both cut the winner into 20/1 (from 40/1) for the Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
