Rachael Blackmore closed to within five winners of Jockeys' Championship leader Paul Townend with a win on the Henry De Bromhead trained Poker Party in the Grade B Paddy Power 6th Bet Free Novice Handicap Chase at Naas today.

Poker Party and Blackmore had previously combined to win over course and today's 2m4f distance on January 27 and today the gelding stuck to his task well on the run-in when holding to beat Monatomic by two lengths.

De Bromhead wasn't present and afterwards Blackmore, having her third winner for owners Robcour from just five rides, stated “he was very tough. It felt like a long way to the line after the last for me but he got there.

“His jumping improved again today and he’s on an upward curve.”

Poker Party's win was the 82nd of the season for Blackmore, who trails former Champion Townend by five.

Quotes from Alan Magee