Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead hitting form at the right time

Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead are back approaching their best at the right time of year as Cheltenham moves slowly into focus.

The dynamic duo were among the winners at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve where the Cheveley Park Stud-owned Ballyadam took the two-mile three-furlong conditions’ hurdle.

Registering his first win over hurdles since the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle in 2020, a Grade 1 race at the time, Ballyadam, a 7/2 chance, battled well to hold Willie Mullins’ 8/13 favourite Saint Sam by half a length.

The pair were all of 27 clear of Mullins’ second runner Sir Gerhard, a 100/30 shot. The winner turned 10 years of age on New Year’s Day and this was his first success since winning a beginners’ chase at Wexford in July of 2023.