'We're so lucky' - McCoy and Walsh lead plaudits for Gold Cup winner Blackmore

Sir Anthony McCoy and Ruby Walsh led the adulation for Rachael Blackmore after the Grand National and dual Champion Hurdle-winning rider added the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup to her glittering CV.

Both McCoy and Walsh praised Blackmore's cool tactics in the saddle, while acknowledging the huge impact she continues to have on jump racing.

"It's all about dreams," said McCoy on ITV. "She was here last year and beat everyone but she didn't have the crowds and people to appreciate how brilliant she is. It's great for her that today she's going to get all that adulation."

McCoy, who won the Gold Cup with Synchronised in 2012 and Mr Mulligan in 1997, added: "We're so lucky to have Rachael Blackmore. He was given a bravely cool ride and this is what dreams are made of.

"Walking down the chute in front of everyone in the stand at the Cheltenham Festival, there's nothing like it. You can have all the success in the world but there's nothing like riding the Gold Cup winner."

A Plus Tard and Rachael Blackmore winners of the 2022 Cheltenham Gold CupCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Walsh, a two-time Gold Cup winner with Kauto Star, could not contain his excitement as he screamed Blackmore home and hailed her an "inspiration" after the race.

"It was a wonderful performance from Rachael," he said. "It was the coolness to hang on to the horse down the hill. It was magic, absolute magic.

"She went after Minella Indo last year and got to him too soon. She was stuck behind a wall of horses this year but didn't panic. She waited and used that turn of foot.

"I've got a 12-year-old at home, who is probably gutted because she wanted to do something Rachael Blackmore has just done and be the first lady to win the Gold Cup.

Rachael Blackmore delivers sublime Cheltenham Gold Cup ride on A Plus Tard

"She's inspiring kids everywhere. It's incredible the interest she's driving in the sport. You need role models like that for the sport and the industry, she's box office."

In awe of the winning ride, Walsh added: "She went too soon last year and went too soon at Leopardstown but the big thing about making mistakes is learning from them and she learned from them on this horse.

"He's a very good horse and was given a very good ride on the day. She's rewritten the history books again."

Read more on the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup:

2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup: where your horse finished and who won

A Plus Tard's Gold Cup win 'worst result possible' on bad day for bookmakers

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