RACHAEL Blackmore, who for so long last season topped the the National Hunt jockeys’ championship before finishing second to Paul Townend, will be the ride judge for next week’s Irish Thoroughbred Marketing racehorse to riding horse championship at the Dublin Horse Show.

Taking place as usual in Ring 1 on Saturday, but at the earlier time of 12.35, the class will be contested by 16 horses including last year’s winner, the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack.

The 12-year-old has been in good form of late, most recently winning at Dungarvan Show under Louise Lyons.

Also returning to do battle are The Amarillo Kid, who finished third 12 months ago and won the IHWT show series final at Tattersalls July Show, Boston Bob, Mossbank, Certerach, Jamesie and Sizing Australia.

Those who weren’t at Dublin last year but are due to line-up on Saturday, when Co Meath trainer Noel Meade will judge conformation, are First Lieutenant, Eastern Rules, Princeton Plans, Cool Macavity, Dantes King, Shawstown, Adsup, and Miller And Cook.

Sadly, the 2017 winner Un Atout, who finished fifth last August under Alison Clancy and had been among the entries for Saturday’s class, died recently of a suspected heart attack.

Since retiring from the track as the winner of four races (including a Grade 1 hurdle) for the Willie Mullins, the 2008 French-bred Robin Des Champs gelding won twice at the Northern Ireland Festival and was twice reserve champion at Balmoral. He also won the 2016 ITM supreme championship.