Fantastic Frodon and Frost bag the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham

On a wet and wild afternoon, Bryony Frost's beaming smile cut through the gloom like a lighthouse as she revelled in her latest Saturday matinee performance aboard the courageous Frodon.

The pair delivered a rousing round of jumping from the front, seeing off one challenger after the next before holding the final rival, Cepage, by a length and a quarter.

Big-race wins have come Frost's way with increasing regularity, though the £74,035 on offer to the winner was the biggest pot the jockey has scooped to date.

In Frodon, Frost had the perfect partner to negotiate the challenges of Cheltenham, and her pride in the six-year-old was evident as she effectively rode the race again in her debrief.

"I'm really thankful I could partner him again today and give him the success he deserved as he was so brave the last time here," Frost said.

A horse who always gives his all, Frodon ran a gallant race in defeat behind Baron Alco in the BetVictor Gold Cup and Frost used the son of Nickname's tenacity to maximum effect, with several big leaps punctuating the front-running display.

Bryony Frost celebrating as she crosses the line on FrodonCredit: Grossick Photography

"Every time he gets a fence he's like 'yes I got that one, I met that one, I'm the boss', you can honestly feel his heart skip. He's just awesome," Frost added.

The big leaps belie Frodon's diminutive stature and he felt the full effect of the gusts that buffeted the field, with Frost paying tribute to his fortitude.

"Up the home straight the first time there was quite a big gust of wind and it blew him sideways but he stuck his ears and his little head down, and said 'all right I'll take it on,'" Frost continued.

The Grade 1 Ryanair Chase will now be the main target for Frodon, according to trainer Paul Nicholls.

Like Frost, Nicholls was impressed with Frodon's attitude, and said: "We'll have to go for Grade 1s with him now. The improvement in him has been astonishing, he was brilliant there."

Bookmakers made Frodon a top-priced 14-1 for the Ryanair, though he is as short as 8-1 in places.

Nicholls had instructed Frost to hassle Baron Alco for the lead to avoid Gary Moore's runner getting his own way in front as he had in the BetVictor, and added: "I did think Frodon was a bit free for the first mile but he's got some engine. The energy he puts into his jumps is incredible. His number one aim will be the Ryanair and we could go for the Ascot Chase."

Beaten horses

Cepage ran a cracking race on his first start of the season to take second for Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch, while a step up in trip awaits the third, Guitar Pete.

Trainer Nicky Richards said: "He might be more comfortable mid-race if we go up in trip, and that's what we'll probably do."

Although Baron Alco was unable to repeat his heroics of last month, he was far from disgraced in fourth, and trainer Gary Moore said: "Jamie said he felt a bit flat, so this race might have come a bit quick, but he still ran his heart out and ran a great race."

Result, replay and analysis

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com