Bryony Frost: My best ride on Saturday is this Paul Nicholls runner at Doncaster who has bags of ability
IT’S a busy day for me at Donny, so thank goodness I’ve got a brand new sofa to kick back on when I get home!
I’ve finally got round to sorting out some furniture for my new pad — let’s hope a winner or two today can help pay for it.
Perhaps my best ride of the day is on Ecco (2.18) for my boss Paul Nicholls.
He has a lot of ability, it’s just a case of keeping him happy. If we gel, and he gets a smooth run, then his talent will make sure he’s right up there.
This is his first run after a wind op, and hopefully that encourages him to believe he can breathe properly and to go through with it.
My first ride is Alghazaal (12.35) for Charlie Longsdon, who I last rode for when I was a claimer.
He was decent on the Flat for Michael Bell, so hopefully he brings that ability to the jumps. It’s his debut for the yard and over hurdles, but Doncaster is a lovely track for a horse’s first experience.
Next it’s Will Sting (1.43), who had a brilliant first run of the season for me at Sandown, I couldn’t fault him at all.
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He jumped superbly but just didn’t get up the hill after being a bit keen early on, so again this flatter track should suit him more.
Hopefully I can keep him calm for the first mile, then start to think about my race.
If he turns up in the same form I will be very happy.
I don’t know much about Le Fils De Force (2.53), who is in the bumper for Simon Whitaker, but he’s certainly got a lovely family bloodline.
He’s had a month since his only other run, a third place at Market Rasen, which is a lovely time between races and it’s always very exciting to see how a young horse comes on.
Finally I finish off for Paul on Flic Ou Voyou (3.28) in a real cat-and-mouse affair. There are only two of us, there’s only 2lb between us — that’s nothing really — so it will be very tactical.
My guy was well held at Uttoxeter on his first go over fences, but he’s done a lot of schooling since and, with only one to beat, at least he’ll be able to hear me!
Then it’s back to my new place and I’m pleased to say it feels much more like a home now I’m the proud owner of a kitchen table at last . . . I just need the chairs to go with it.
And to make it a double cause for celebration, my new sofa has pride of place. That’s where I’m plonking myself for dinner. Well, there’s nowhere else to sit!
I moved into my house at the end of July, so it’s taken a while for things to arrive, but, after 20 weeks, here they are.
The next job is finding a few cushions and throws for the sofa.
I’ve still not got round to putting any pictures up yet, and now life is getting busy, either schooling or racing, I suppose it will be summer before I do so.
Until next week, keep kicking…
INTERVIEW By PHIL THOMAS. Bryony Frost is an ambassador for horseracing.co.uk. Follow her on Instagram @officialbryonyfrost
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