BRYONY FROST is considering splitting her time between Britain and France – so long as the right opportunities come up.
The record-breaking Cheltenham Festival winner reveals she has been out riding at a number of French yards with a view to hopping over the Channel.
GettyFrost is eyeing up some big rides in France meaning she splits her time between home and abroad[/caption]
Cheltenham comes first – including a 100-1 chance she fancies – but the future is very much open.
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Here, Sun Racing columnist Frost details her proposed career move and some fancies for the Festival…
JUST three days to go until the greatest show on turf – that time of year when all eyes turn to the Festival.
The Olympics of jump racing, when the elite of our sport go for gold in the most relentless four days of the season.
But although my sights are once again on Cheltenham, they’re also a little further afield — in France, to be exact.
As well as helping to prepare Paul Nicholls’ team, I’ve spent a morning in Chantilly, where I’ve been riding out for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm.
I was at Louisa Carberry’s yard in Nantes a couple of weeks ago too, and the thought of a challenge is really exciting, because I am looking at the prospect of riding in France if the opportunities are there too.
Firstly, though, that means getting round as many yards as possible, schooling, showing my technique and working hard — I’ve never been scared of that.
It’s about getting to know the horses, the training and the way of life.
It’s about laying bricks to build the pyramid of another opportunity - although I have to admit my French is minimal!
I must say Noel has a brilliant team of people and horses, and I sat on some gorgeous three-year-olds this week.
It’s a liquid situation currently, but who knows what’s on the horizon?
Obviously our season is still rolling, and I’ll be working as hard as ever here, but the French and English basically have split calendars, so let’s see where we go.
I’m happy to graft for the chance and, after more than 1,700 rides and over 200 winners, have total confidence in my ability.
And, of course, in France the female jockeys get a near-5lb allowance in all handicaps, so I’d certainly snap up the benefit of that thank you!
I’m keeping an open mind about things, but if the right openings come, I’ll grab them with both hands.
As far as the Festival goes, Paul is sending a select team, but there is still plenty to look forward to.
You can scratch the last run by Stage Star and you’ll see a much better horse when he goes for the Ryanair.
It’s a front-runners’ race demanding good jumping and he can certainly do that.
I galloped Stay Away Fay — who is in the Brown Advisory — at Kempton recently and he jumped impeccably.
He’s an extreme stayer who you wouldn’t swap for anything else.
He won the Albert Bartlett last year, but fences are definitely his game — he’s been schooling brilliantly and is in very good order.
Ginny’s Destiny is among the favourites for the Turner and rightly so, because he’s improving all the time.
Obviously this is his biggest test so far, but he’s a course specialist, knows his way around and is a really slick jumper.
Il Ridoto is back for another crack at the Plate and he’s really perked up again, bucking and playing.
He always puts in a bold bid and will do again.
And I have to mention Bravemansgame in the Gold Cup. Hopefully the ground won’t be too tacky, because that does test his stamina.
But he’s back to where the team wants him to be and, if dries out a bit by the end of the week, he’ll be bang there over the last two fences.
Paul has a nice team for the Bumper, and Teeshan looks a million dollars. He’s come on a ton over the last fortnight.
But don’t forget Quebecois, a similar sort to Captain Teague — who will welcome the step up if he goes for the Albert Bartlett — and has been working well too.
Personally I hope Stavvy gets in the Bumper.
He’s a lovely horse I won on for Jane Chapple-Hyam at Southwell, and he really impressed me.
He was in brilliant order when I worked him at Newmarket on Thursday — I struggled to pull him up! — and if he lines up, he is certainly no 66-1 shot, believe you me!
All in all, exciting times ahead indeed, so until next week, it’s au revoir from me. Good luck at the Festival.
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