Rachael Blackmore picks 14/1 shot she would place bet on for Grand National

The Grand National is almost here and that means punters around the country will be looking to successfully pick out the winner.

So, who better to take inspiration from than a history-making winner of the iconic race in Rachael Blackmore?

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Blackmore is the only female jockey ever to taste victory in the Grand National, coming out on top in 2021 riding Minella Times.

And she will be at Aintree this weekend as she is inducted as a Grand National Legend, with a bar being named after her, too.

She won’t be riding following retirement last year, but she has revealed who she might be backing on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT.com, Blackmore said when asked who she would put £10 on: “I think I would go for Monty’s Star.”

The Betfair Ambassador then added: “Henry De Bromhead trains him. He’s got a phenomenal record in the Grand National.

“So I think he’s got a nice profile going into the race.

“He would be my £10 each way.”

Blackmore rode for trainer De Bromhead for many years, collecting huge wins on Minella Times at the Grand National and Honeysuckle and A Plus Tard at Cheltenham as a phenomenal duo.

And she, in fact, also rode Monty’s Star throughout her career multiple times at Cheltenham and other courses.

So, she’s sure to know exactly what the horse is capable of.

Blackmore will find out whether Monty’s Star romps home on Saturday, with the Grand National getting started at 4pm.

But despite her pick, the 36-year-old admitted that she hasn’t become an avid punter since retiring from horse racing.

Although, she has left the door open for future big gambles like Peter Crouch faced at Cheltenham in March, admitting: “I haven’t gone down that road yet, but it may come!”

Where is Monty’s Star in the Grand National odds?

Monty’s Star has been confirmed to be running in the Grand National this weekend, with Darragh O’Keefe booked to ride.

And ahead of the big race, he is priced at 14/1 at the time of writing.

The nine-year-old is one of the market leaders for the showpiece at Aintree, which will not include 2025 winner Nick Rockett.

Ahead of Monty’s Star are seven of the favourites in the 34-horse field, which is led by 2024 winner I Am Maximus at 7/1.

Another Willie Mullins horse in Grangeclare West is third in the betting at 9/1, behind Panic Attack at 8/1.

Jagwar is the fourth-favourite at 10/1, while Iroko, Johnnywho and Haiti Couleurs are also all above Monty’s Star in the odds.

Rachael Blackmore was speaking ahead of the Aintree Grand National Festival, play different at the Grand National this year with Betfair.