Bryony Frost leaves Britain to race in France as Paul Nicholls says ‘the public love her more than some trainers do’
BRYONY FROST is ‘off to France until October’ – after riding opportunities for the Grade 1-winning jockey dried up in Britain.
Sun Racing columnist Frost has been in sensational form lately, banging in an Aintree Festival winner on Sans Bruit and operating at a red-hot 33 per cent strike rate.
She also came inches from landing the December Gold Cup after an awesome ride on Il Ridoto.
But the former Ryanair winner has seen other high-profile rides all but disappear in light of her bullying row and injury.
Paul Nicholls has always stood by her side and given her chances when No1 jockey Harry Cobden has otherwise been booked – including one in the bet365 Gold Cup on Saturday.
While Frost has also formed a successful partnership with trainer Lucy Wadham, who has also put Frost up on Arqoob in the last race at Sandown.
But with the jumps season drawing to a close at the Surrey track, Nicholls said he fully supports her decision to cross the Channel.
Frost told you exclusively on Sun Racing that she had been in France scouting some yards and trying to pick up rides.
Nicholls said it was mystifying she didn’t get more big opportunities – but added: “I think the public like her more than some trainers do.”
Speaking of her decision to relocate for the summer, Nicholls said: “She’s riding well at the moment.
“I think the public like her more than some trainers do, because she doesn’t seem to get too many rides these days.
“But she’s still riding as well as ever and rode a nice winner up at Perth and a few last week – she’s going well and she takes the opportunities she’s given with both hands.
“It’s not for me to decide who rides other people’s horses, but it just strikes me she does ride well and she doesn’t get that many opportunities.
“I think she’s off to France until October to try to get some experience and opportunities there and then she will come back and she will always slot in with us.
“She comes and rides out twice a week and there will always be opportunities for her.
“The girls get an allowance in France and it could be a good opportunity for her.
“We’re not going to be busy between May and October, so I said go and enjoy yourself.
“It will be interesting to see how she gets on.
“I would say she is going to get out there pretty quickly and give it a good go, because ultimately I’m not going to have many for her during the summer, as Harry will ride most of them.”
Frost made headlines with her bullying ordeal at the hands of Robbie Dunne.
Irish jockey Dunne had his ban reduced to ten months – with his treatment of Frost deemed ‘disgraceful’.
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