FEISTY FRODON BRY & MIGHTY
Frost strikes again
BRYONY FROST was glowing after partnering Frodon to victory at a rainlashed Cheltenham in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.
On a bitterly cold afternoon, the jockey said it was among the toughest conditions she had ever ridden in.
She said: “The wind was blowing us about all over the place but it did not matter as I had a very brave warrior out there.
“He’s got top weight but it’s like he’s got invisible wings – he’s like Pegasus for me.
“Some of those strides, I was like. ‘Frodon, what are you thinking?’ I just had to go with him. When I asked him to go, there was no catching us then.”
Sent into the lead from the drop of the flag, Frost set a furious pace and despite the gruelling conditions Frodon soared over his fences.
Baron Alco, who had beaten Frodon in last month’s BetVictor Gold Cup, gave valiant chase but paid the price and finished a leg-weary fourth. Cepage took second with Guitar Pete, winner of last year’s contest, arriving late to snatch third place.
Frodon, successful in the race two years ago, was adding to Paul Nicholls’ excellent record in the contest.
The Ditcheat handler also captured the prize twice with Poquelin in 2009 and 2010.
He said: “He is an astonishing horse as he is not very big but that gave me some enjoyment.
“Watching him go that gallop carrying 11st 12lb and the way he went over those jumps was spectacular.
“He’s only a small horse but clearly has a big heart.
“We will have to go for Grade Ones now. He will probably go for the Ascot Chase and then come back here for the Ryanair at the Festival in March.”
Frost added: “He’s so brave – he’s awesome.”
The same can certainly be said about Frost.