Frost aims to follow in her father’s footsteps

BRYONY FROST is hoping she gets the perfect birthday present by emulating her father Jimmy to become a Grand National winning jockey on Saturday.

Frost will be 23 the day before she lines up on Milansbar in the £1 million race Jimmy won in 1989 riding Little Polveir. Frost has been one of the jockey finds of the season, largely riding horses trained by her boss, 10-time champion Paul Nicholls. But 33-1 chance Milansbar is trained by Neil King. Frost and Milansbar won the Warwick Classic Chase in January, the same race landed by last year’s Grand National winner One For Arthur. Frost said: ‘I have watched the video [of Little Polveir winning] more times than I can count. People say you get goosebumps out of feelings and every time I watch dad win that race, it happens to me.

‘I’m just lucky I’m lining up on a horse like Milansbar. I couldn’t have a better horse to hold my hand. I will try my best for him. He is bold and he likes to be brave. That is exactly what you need in these marathon horses.

‘We are lining up against good horses but Milansbar deserves to be there himself. He has every chance in the world.’

Only 27 runners in Grand National history have had female jockeys. Frost is making her debut in the race but she will line up alongside Katie Walsh, who has ridden in the National five times, and Rachael Blackmore.

Walsh achieved the best finish for a female jockey when third on Seabass, trained by her father Ted, in 2012. On Saturday, Walsh partners grey mare Baie Des Iles, who is trained by her husband Ross O’Sullivan. The 50-1 shot finished third in the Punchestown Grand National Trial in February.

Blackmore will ride Michael O’Leary-owned 50-1 shot Alpha Des Obeaux, who is based at the stable of former Grand National-winning trainer Mouse Morris. O’Leary could potentially have up to five starters.