Bryony Frost back in the limelight after battling Aintree victory on Frodon

A new season of the Bryony Frost Show began here on Sunday as the popular 23-year-old combined with Frodon for a thrilling, front-running success in the Old Roan Chase. Frost garnered much attention last winter by making good use of a handful of opportunities in high-profile races and it was the same story here as Frodon was her only mount of the day.

“Cor, it’s good, eh?” was Frost’s greeting to reporters in the winner’s enclosure. “He’s got the heart of a lion and he tries real hard. He’s in handicaps now and there’s a bit more argy bargy in those races; you have to stick your elbows out a bit more. He does exactly that.”

Frost, who rides mainly for Paul Nicholls and Neil King, has shown her willingness to travel for mounts in recent days, taking one ride at Southwell on Thursday, one at Cheltenham on Friday and one at Kelso on Saturday. An outsider might be surprised that such an acknowledged talent should have to cover so many miles for such limited work but few riders are in the happy position of having a full book of rides wherever they go. The hope is always that graft will bring eventual rewards.

Gesturing to the weighing room, Frost said: “I was up there, thinking, ‘This is my first big race of the season.’ My hands were shaking! To be sat on horses like this on a day like this, it’s every jockey’s dream.”

Frost said she was trying not to think about how close she is to losing the 3lb claim she is still allowed as a relatively new jockey. “There must be about 10 wins left to go,” she said, hopefully. In fact, she will be on level terms with Richard Johnson and the rest after another six winners.

In the meantime this was a significant success, her first at the home of the Grand National, where her father, Jimmy, won the biggest race of all on Little Polveir 29 years ago. Frost may get another shot at a big race on Saturday, if Black Corton lines up at Wetherby for the Charlie Hall Chase.

Nicholls’ assistant, Harry Derham, said of Frodon: “He’s a remarkable horse. He’s not even that old but it feels like he’s been around for quite a long time. To come here on his reappearance, on top weight and put on a display like that is remarkable.

“Bryony’s given him a lovely ride. She said she just gets him near the front and then leaves him to it. He’s a brilliant jumper. I think they get on well because she knows what he can do, she believes in him and as a result they’re just a good match.”

Without being adamant about plans Derham felt that a Graded contest, perhaps the Peterborough Chase, might be a suitable next target for Frodon. That suggests another handicap, like next month’s BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham, is not at the top of the agenda but the sponsors chalked him up at 16-1.

Redcar 12.05 Pendleton (nb) 12.35 Timetodock 1.05 Mister Chiang 1.40 Warrior’s Spirit 2.15 Bill Cody 2.50 Make Me 3.25 Alfie’s Angel 4.00 Sfumato

Leicester 12.15 Watan 12.45 Don Logan 1.20 Such Promise 1.55 Hochfeld 2.30 Lady Alavesa 3.05 Escalator 3.40 Orchid Killer 4.15 La Isla Bonita

Ayr 12.55 Quri 1.30 Scheu Time 2.05 Trongate (nap) 2.40 Inchcolm 3.15 Chocolat Noir 3.50 Gennady

Chelmsford 4.45 Say The Word 5.15 Collect Call 5.45 Landue 6.15 Soumei 6.45 Enchanting Enya 7.15 Zahirah 7.45 Mans Not Trot 8.15 Impart

Tips by Chris Cook