Sans Bruit and Bryony Frost in front© Photo Healy Racing
Bryony Frost showcased her ability to produce a winner on the big day as she triumphed in the Close Brothers Red Rum Chase at Aintree aboard Sans Bruit
The 5-1 chance had been partnered by Frost in one of his three previous British starts and came into the race having yet to get off the mark in this country, with his light weight prompting trainer Paul Nicholls to give Frost the ride rather than stable jockey Harry Cobden.
The opportunity was grabbed with both hands and the horse was settled quickly into an even rhythm, jumping fluently all the way and gaining ground at every fence.
Turning for home he was at the head of affairs and just continued to pull away, jumping the last in isolation and crossing the line four lengths ahead of 9-2 favourite Saint Roi
“Every race on the big stage is always going to hit where you want it to – the adrenalin, the focus and the positive nerves before,” Frost said after the win.
“The instructions were that if he was really keen to go out in front, then do what you do. The start was a bit of a muddle, but luckily he stayed really relaxed for it and I was able to get into a good position.
“I found a rhythm, we got in some really lovely breathers and when someone came to my girths, he picked up again and I thought ‘if you’ve got that much petrol, let’s start rolling’.”
By her own admission Frost has been frustrated by a lack of chances this season, a situation that has led her to consider the possibility of riding in France.
She added: “The opportunities come when they come, you’re thankful when they do and you try to make it happen.
“There is frustration, of course there is, you’ve got so much to offer, but you can only work with the opportunities that you’re getting and be thankful for the ones you get, whether they’re coming quickly or months apart.
“I’m buzzing we’ve got a big win. The crowd and the fans here are phenomenal, you feel the support and I feel it on the daily at the tracks when I’m riding.
“Parts of the season have been pushing more uphill, but you can’t sit down and cry about it, you’ve just got to get on and make the most of it when it comes.
“We’re not riding this Saturday and there is frustration, of course there is. You’re in the game to win and you want to ride and be out there. There’s nothing you can do about it, just keep working hard.”
On a possible French switch, she added: “You get a girls’ allowance out there, which is a huge advantage for me. It would be silly not to take advantage of that.
“You give me the ammunition, I’ll make it happen.”
Cheltenham Festival runner-up Its On The Line (3-1 favourite) went one better when landing the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase for Derek O’Connor.
The seven-year-old was kept out of trouble by O’Connor through the early stages before he delivered Emmet Mullins’ charge with a perfectly-timed challenge to score by four and a quarter lengths from the admirable Bennys King
Mullins said: “He’s got ability and Derek is good and persistent on him and gets everything out of him. We were thankful for the loose horses today as it meant he had a bit of company and he was able to stretch out and go away, he’s done it well in the finish.
“He takes his races very well, last season he ran at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown so he has a great constitution. I think he’ll stay hunter chasing as it’s great to be able to come to these meetings and have a horse with a big chance. Fingers crossed he keeps doing the business.”
O’Connor added: “They went a ferocious gallop and he was a little bit off the bridle, but one thing he does is jump and he was jumping well all the way.
“We got a little bit of stick after Cheltenham, he lacks that bit of class to travel in a race but he leaves it all on the line every day and puts it all in when it comes down to it.
“Emmet’s a genius and it’s a privilege to put on these (JP McManus) colours every day.”
The closing Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race went the way of Ben Pauling’s Diva Luna (13-2), who made all the running under Kielan Woods.
“That was a great ride, she was good wasn’t she? She’s a nice horse,” said Pauling.
“He kept it very simple, we knew at Market Rasen that she had gears so the plan was to dictate and kick as late as we could. I think he knew he had plenty left.
“She won’t run again this season and she’ll go hurdling next season, she’s got a lot of class.”
