Bryony is riding for her final vindication
King George glory can end tough year for Frost
BRYONY FROST believes Frodon is in perfect shape to deliver a dream ending to the most traumatic 12 months of her career in today’s £250,000 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase. If the gelding who has done most to elevate Frost’s career can repeat last year’s win, expect a Kempton roar that has not been heard since the days of those galloping greats Desert Orchid and Kauto Star.
Twelve months ago, Covid-19 meant just a handful of owners were present to witness Frost make history by becoming the first female jockey to win one of the biggest races in the jumps season.
In the aftermath of her win, Frost spoke of the ‘negativity’ she faced in the Weighing Room, a hint to an unidentified issue.
We have since learned that Frost was referring to what became the unedifying story of bullying and harassment that led to fellow jockey Robbie Dunne being banned for 18 months at a BHA disciplinary hearing earlier this month.
Frost was popular with the racing public a year ago.
The wave of sympathy and support she has received since has taken that to new levels, judging by the reaction she received from the Sandown crowd when she won the
THE WAVE OF SUPPORT HAS TAKEN HER POPULARITY TO NEW LEVELS
Tingle Creek Chase on Greaneteen earlier this month. It will surely serve to further inspire Frost and Frodon, who is trained by her boss Paul Nicholls.
Frost said: ‘The public in racing are awesome when they start getting behind certain individuals and athletes. It is really cool to be one of those pairs that people look forward to seeing and appreciating. I’m very lucky to have him.
‘People love Frodon’s characteristics, his running style, his jumping. When I met him he was a very good handicapper and he has progressed to be one of the most talked about horses. I’m very proud of that.
‘It is mad to think we won the race 12 months ago. It doesn’t feel that long ago. Everyone has counted down to Christmas Day but I’ve been counting down to Boxing Day.
‘Frodon galloped at Wincanton last week and my arms were a few inches longer that night from him towing me around in the boisterous way he does. We schooled together on Monday and it was just how we wanted it with him near enough out of control!’
Frost remembers last year’s race as being one of the smoothest she has enjoyed on Frodon as he jumped with precision from the front. It will be much tougher, however, this afternoon.
Adding extra spice to the race is the fact that one of Frost’s biggest dangers is Minella Indo, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, the most successful female jockey in jump racing history.
Frodon was well behind Minella Indo when the Henry De Bromhead-trained Irish raider won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, but Frodon and Frost gained revenge when they won the Champion Chase at Down Royal in October, with Minella Indo third.
Frost and Blackmore may dominate the headlines going into the King George but the race’s dominant figure is Nicholls, with an amazing 12 victories.
That is seven more than the next most successful trainers in the race’s history, Fulke Walwyn and Francois Doumen.
Nicholls believes that Frodon has been too big a price in the build-up to the race and is underestimated.
He has also said that taking a new approach with his dual winner Clan Des Obeaux by dispensing with a prep-race to ensure he is fresh for Kempton means the nine-year-old has had ‘his best preparation ever’.
If Clan Des Obeaux, who is part-owned by Alex Ferguson, can win, his name will be written large in the sport’s history books alongside Wayward Lad (three wins) and only behind Desert Orchid (four wins) and Kauto Star (five wins).
Surprisingly, the King George is one of the few major prizes to have eluded JP McManus, the prominent owner in the sport. He is represented by Chantry House, who is rising through the chasing ranks after a successful novice chase campaign.
But all eyes will be on Frost today. If you believe in fairytale endings you will be backing her.