'I felt the love for the sport and the horse' - more magic for Frodon and Frost

Saturday: Badger Beer Handicap Chase, Wincanton

Frodon may have conquered Cheltenham, Ireland and the King George, but in front of a packed local crowd the home favourite delivered another spine-tingling performance to propel Bryony Frost into Saturday stardom again.

There were doubts about an ageing Frodon and his mammoth task off top weight, while Frost had been the unfortunate victim in a high-profile bullying case which rocked the sport.

Yet on this day the bad times were forgotten as Frodon recreated his old magic to spark a raucous post-race reception from the locals.

It was the same Frodon and Frost which many had seen and loved before, fearless and brave from the front. El Presente at one point threatened his lead, but as the race developed the ten-year-old's punishing gallop was proving impossible to stop.

Bryony Frost returns to the winner's enclosureCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Enrilo fell and the rest faded apart from Lord Accord. The recent Cheltenham winner made his challenge but Frodon relishes battle mode and a brief skirmish was only ever going one way. Frodon and Frost again sparked jubilant scenes in the winner's enclosure.

“I think we should forget about last year and focus on this,” Frost reflected on the two-and-a-half-length win. “He's the most phenomenal horse and I'm privileged to be a part of him, the team and to ride in these silks.

"To be out there galloping with him again and with that weight, to still win like he did was incredible. He's everybody's local hero. I got goosebumps when he came in."

She added of the reception: “I really felt the love for the sport when they got behind him. He does it in the bravest way, he's a warrior and you get behind his characteristics. You get completely immersed in his greed to win and as a jockey it's phenomenal to ride a horse like that.”

'You get completely immersed in his greed to win and as a jockey it's phenomenal to ride a horse like that'Credit: Alan Crowhurst

This was a historic moment for Badger Beer as it marked its 61st year as the race's sponsor, an outright record for Britain. A vintage year got a winner to match while trainer Paul Nicholls saddled his 11th success.

Nicholls said of the 9-4 favourite: “It's an amazing performance. He's just a legend of a horse.

“We just knew [coming to the last] he was going to do it as he had his ears pricked and he never stops. It's a special day; it's big for the course, the crowds and the owner. There won't be a more popular winner in a long time – it was fantastic."

"He'll go straight to the King George now. It'll be a good race and he always goes well there."

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