Blackmore

With fast moving world events and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, Commodore James Blackmore, commander of the strike group, said there was always a possibility that the programme could be changed.

The Soudal-Quick Step rider and Visma-Lease A Bike's Van Aert attacked with just under a third of the race to go, and were soon joined by 22-year-old British rider Joe Blackmore.

Israel-Premier Tech rider Blackmore was dropped as Evenpoel attacked on the penultimate climb, while Portugal's Antonio Morgado won the bunch sprint to take third.

In the 1960s, he toured with the pre-fame Beatles and Rolling Stones, and had chart success with his band The Outlaws, whose early members included Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore and Chas Hodges of Chas & Dave.

Triumphed in 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup for trainer, who won National a month later with stablemate Minella Times as Rachael Blackmore became first female jockey to win the race.