3 minute read

Bryony Frost notched yet another big Saturday winner as Frodon skipped clear in the home straight to win the Crest Nicholson Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Carrying top weight after a string of consistent efforts, the 5lb Frost took off the Paul Nicholls-trained 13-2 chance was a massive help.

After scooting up the rail on the home bend, Frodon cleared away from O O Seven impressively, with Shantou Flyer staying on for second 17 lengths away. King's Odyssey was third.

Frost said: "My only worry today was that he'd be too keen but he settled and jumped, it was the perfect training performance.

"He relishes the ground and the step down in trip was perfect. He never stops, when you ask he gives it to you.

"What a beutiful feeling it is coming up this hill on a horse like this.

"He's only at the start of his career, he's just left primary school and now he's playing with the big boys."

Santini wore down Black Op to win the Ballymore Classic Novices' Hurdle for Nicky Henderson.

Jerry McGrath was the lucky recipient of the riding with Nico de Boinville preferring Pacific De Baune, who was well beaten.

Tom George's Black Op appeared to have the race in safe-keeping running to the last but he met it all wrong.

That gave Santini a chance and he was able to maintain his unbeaten record, scoring by three-quarters of a length at 4-1.

McGrath said: "I wasn't seeing a stride at the last, but for a big horse he's very agile and popped it nicely.

"He's tall, he's a horse for the future. We didn't think he'd cope with the ground today, thankfully he coped with it.

"He'd bred to be a three-miler and he'll improve for that."

Henderson said: "He's a lovely, big horse but he's only a baby still. He's going to be a lovely chaser.

"He'll get an entry in the Albert Bartlett, and if you're not in you can't run, but unless we change our minds I think we are all leaning against it at the moment.

"I think he wants another year and come back as a chaser."