Bryony Frost looks ahead to her Day 2 rides at the Festival.
There was some buzz yesterday, the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. There always is. It’s the Olympic Games for our supreme equine athletes to go and showcase their talents.
The ground was just a little bit soft for Brandon Castle in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. It was still raining when we jumped off, and he just got a bit stuck in the mud.
He was unbelievable at the start. There was a false start so we had to go from a standing start. Maybe it’s because he’s used to starting from stalls, but as soon as the tape was released, he was off and gone. I didn’t have to do anything. I actually had a bit of a giggle with him on the run to the first, well done mate.
I looked after Brandon when his chance had gone. There was no point in being hard on him when I knew we weren’t going to finish in the money. Save him for another day, maybe when the ground is better.
He’s learning all the time. His jumping was brilliant. He’s so fast, he can really use his jumping on better ground. He might be better suited to Aintree if the ground comes up good there.
Matchbook Betting Exchange Brand Ambassador Jockey Bryony Frost. Picture by Mikal Ludlow Photography 17-10-18
The big attraction for racing fans on Wednesday is undoubtedly Altior. He is a complete athlete. He’s 17 from 17 now over hurdles and fences and that is just unbelievable.
He is a fantastic racehorse. He’s lovely to watch. At the end of his races, he just pulls out more when others can’t. He’s great for racing and, like any racing fan, I’m looking forward to seeing him again.
I ride Lil Rockerfeller in the Coral Hurdle. He is dropping back in trip, going for this race instead of the Stayers’ Hurdle on Thursday, but he is dropping to handicap company for the first time in ages over hurdles, and that could suit him.
My job in the first mile will be to get him travelling and get him jumping. They will probably be going a little quicker over this distance than they do over three miles, so hopefully he will be able to settle into a nice rhythm at that pace.
I’m looking forward to getting on him again, getting him jumping, seeing how we go. He is a big price but he could surprise a few people.
