Rachael Blackmore's iconic career means there's few better to offer tips for the Cheltenham Festival. Calling time on her racing days last year, the Irishwoman has 18 Festival winners to her name, as well as having the prestige of being the first female jockey to win the Grand National in the entire 182-year history of the race.

While she may not be attempting to set history again at this year's edition, the 36-year-old remains wholly involved in the festivities after her appointment as the Head of Ladies Day in an attempt to boost female attendance. On top of those responsibilities, Blackmore has also been on hand to offer her expert opinion on several races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

The race is the centrepiece event of the week's racing and is scheduled to start at 4pm. One of the horses competing in the Gold Cup is Envoi Allen, with Blackmore having previously ridden him to victory in the 2023 Ryanair Chase.

Currently trading around 28-1, Blackmore claimed he is a "fantastic each-way bet" as she told Mirror Racing: "It is an open Gold Cup. I think the Henry de Bromhead factor applies here.

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

"Can I see Envoi Allen winning? He's going to need a lot to kind of go wrong, not a lot, but he's going to need things to go wrong for others. Or does he?

"I can see him being a massive each-way bet. He's a fantastic each-way bet. I was only just chatting to Henry's head lad and he said he's in fantastic form at home and he's another horse that just peaks for Cheltenham. You could do a lot worse."

Also racing in the event is Firefox, Gaelic Warrior, Gold Tweet, Grey Dawning, Haiti Couleurs, Inothewayurthinkin, Jango Baie, L'Homme Presse, Spillane's Tower and Harry Redknapp's favourite, The Jukebox Man. The gruelling race is contested over 3 miles 2½ furlongs with runners needing to cross 22 fences as well as navigating the famous uphill finish.

Classed as the most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain, the total prize fund of the Gold Cup is a whopping £625,000 with the winning horse taking home an approximate figure of £351,687. The staggering figures involved makes it the most financially rewarding race of the National Hunt season.