Rachael Blackmore shows us what we have been missing as JP McManus crosses another festival prize from his missing list

Rachael Blackmore has been missing and missed. Three months of her season were spent on the sidelines but even since returning from injury she had been little more than an also-ran, with just one Irish winner in each of this year's first three months. This was the day she reminded us not only of her brilliance but also her importance.

Blackmore had been out of form only because Henry de Bromhead has been out of form. Fortunately, there is no better place to stage a revival than the Cheltenham Festival, whose audience had roared home the most decorated female jockey in jump racing history when she won the Champion Hurdle, Gold Cup and Champion Chase. The festival faithful were similarly effusive in saluting her first triumph in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.

Before Blackmore struck on Bob Olinger, she scored on stable companion Air Of Entitlement, galvanising her mount from the final flight having ridden a perfect race. "You were amazing," said De Bromhead to Blackmore after she dismounted. Just over two and a half hours later, he said something broadly similar.