Buzzing Frost deserves best of British
BRYONY FROST finished the best of the British runners in the Grand National, and was ‘buzzing’ after coming home fifth on Milansbar.
The 23-year-old, who was riding in the National for the first time, was unable to catch the leading Irish quartet in the run-in but was beaming as she described her ‘incredible’ run.
Ahead of the race, hopes were high that a female jockey might come home victorious for the first time in history, with the strongest contingent of women in the race in 30 years.
But the fairytale was not to be, with Katie Walsh finishing 12th and Rachael Blackmore falling at the halfway point.
Speaking after the race, Frost, whose father Jimmy won the National in 1989, said: ‘I can’t explain it. My horse has been so brave.
‘He’s just given me an incredible first spin out there. He’s loved every minute of it. I think our worst part of the race was coming out over the first, where he’s over-jumped and he’s right down on his nose, but he’s so clever to be able to get himself back up again and get running.
‘I was desperate to get him back in the paddock, but he was fifth, and he was buzzing after the race and so was I. When you’re galloping along like that and going fence-tofence, you are trying to just get each one under your belt. Each one feels like a win.’
Frost only celebrated her 23rd birthday on Friday and has been propelled to the top of the game in this, her first season as a professional.
The veterinary officer reported that Milansbar was lame in his left hind leg after the race. Asked if she would ride him next year, Frost said: ‘I don’t want to lose him.’
Frost faced a ‘five-hour journey’ home to Devon last night, and was due to ride at Plumpton today.
Walsh, who was last of the finishers on Baie Des Iles, said: ‘She ran well but we got badly hampered at Valentines. She’s got time on her side.’
The 33-year-old, who retains the best result for a female jockey with her 2012 third on Seabass, later added: ‘Good spin, got round safe and sound and really enjoyed it.’
Blackmore said: ‘I came down at the Chair and was travelling well up to that point. Obviously very disappointed but delighted to see Gigginstown win.’
Walsh went on to have a fall in the last race of the day and was taken off the course in an ambulance. She was later described as ‘fine’ by clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch.
CHARLIE DEUTSCH was the only jockey in the race who needed medical treatment following his fall on Houblon Des Obeaux. Of the horses, Saint Are needed further veterinary assessment after being brought down.
Reports that Richard Johnson had been offered the ride on Saint Are, replacing the injured Adrian Heskin, but been unable to take it up because he had already left the track were inaccurate.