Sandown sends off the season in style and with familiar themes repeated

The day that marked the end of the British jumps season was, once again, a resounding success, perhaps even more so this year because it neatly mirrored so much of what had taken place over the previous 12 months.

Seldom has Sandown seemed so loud. As the races reached their conclusion the grandstands were filled with noise, as was the Rhododendron Walk as Bryony Frost and Black Corton returned after winning the Oaksey Chase, 35 minutes before Altior enjoyed a similarly warm reception.

Frost and Altior have been two of the season's brightest stars. For Frost this was also the day when she became champion conditional jockey. That she won her title by a country mile despite missing large chunks of the campaign through injury is testament to her enormous talent and potential. The quiet, uncomplicated assistance she gave to Black Corton, backed up by yet more wonderful words after the race, provided a further reminder of why Frost is so important to the sport.