Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle do it again with an emotional win at Cheltenham

A fairytale afternoon at Cheltenham saw Honeysuckle, with Tipperary jockey Rachael Blackmore aboard, stride to victory in front of an ecstatic crowd this afternoon. It is a second Mares' Hurdle and a fourth race win overall at the prestigious festival.

The roar echoed throughout the venue as horse and rider came up the Cheltenham hill to much applause.  After jumping the last lodged behind last year's Mares' Novices' winner Love Envoi, the drive and determination of Honeysuckle was enough to edge ahead when it mattered most. 

The 9-4 joint-favourite came into the race under pressure from other strong contenders but  Henry de Bromhead's star horse showed the class and courage followers have been accustomed to.

After Honeysuckle won the race there was a huge outpouring of emotion as Rachael immediately referenced in her post race interview, the loss the De Bromhead family suffered recently when their son died tragically.

The win this afternoon will go down as one of the great victories in Cheltenham history.