Rachael Blackmore was among the jockeys stung with a ban at the . The 35-year-old was found to have used her whip once more than the maximum level of seven from jumping the second last fence when riding The Short Go to a fifth-placed finish in the Ultima Handicap Chase.

The BHA's Whip Referral Committee then intervened to suspend Blackmore for six days. The panel were aware that she had ridden 75 times in Great Britain since her last penalty, but the breach occurred in a Class 1 race and therefore her penalty was doubled.

Fortunately for Blackmore, as the Ultima takes place on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, it means that her ban will run from Friday 28 March to Wednesday 2 April 2025.

Therefore, Blackmore will be able to enjoy a few days rest before heading to Aintree, with the festival set to begin on Thursday April 3. The meeting will then run through until Saturday, with the showcase race taking place at 4pm on April 5.

After enjoying such a brilliant Cheltenham, Blackmore will be in demand from Irish trainers taking the trip to Liverpool. She rode Air Of Entitlement (16/1) to victory in the Mares' Novices Hurdle before enjoying another win on Bob Olinger, though this time in the Stayers' Hurdle.

Blackmore will be hoping to enjoy an equally brilliant few days at Aintree, a meeting where she truly put herself on the sporting map in 2021 when becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National with Minella Times.

The pair failed to retain their crown in 2022 though, falling at the 9th after being badly hampered. Minella Times has since been retired.

Blackmore then rode Ain't That A Shame (17th) in 2023 before enjoying a third-place finish with Minella Indo last year at odds of 28/1. The latter is set to run again in this year's renewal, and it would be no surprise for Blackmore to retain the ride given how she got a great tune out of the gelding previously.

Blackmore is the stable jockey of Henry De Bromhead's yard and she could have her eye on the trainer's other potential runner, Senior Chief, though his claims are not particularly strong.