Bryony Frost wins the Badger Ales Trophy on Paul Nicholls’ Present Man at Wincanton racecourse
It was Frost's biggest win of her career as Present Man held on narrowly from Final Nudge at Wincanton
BRYONY FROST booted home Present Man to win the Badger Ales Trophy – 21 years after her dad Jimmy landed Wincanton’s greatest prize.
It was hard to work out who was happier – the winning jockey, proud father, joint-owner Mark Woodhouse or trainer Paul Nicholls.
It was Frost’s biggest win of her career and it gave Nicholls an eighth success in the £60,000 race.
The victory also meant a huge amount to Woodhouse – boss of the sponsors Badger Ales.
Heavy rain looked to have ruined Present Man’s chance but he handled the testing conditions well.
Always up with the pace and jumping nicely, the 8-1 shot slogged it out to see off Final Nudge’s challenge by a head.
Frost said: “He’s got the heart of a lion. The braver you are on him the braver he is. He answers every question.
“Going round he was pulling my arms out, he was running away with me – I wasn’t meant to be there. Thankfully he put me right and got me out of a telling off.”
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He said: “It was a peach of a ride – you won’t see any better on a horse like that.”
Ian Williams also notched up a notable double with big wins at Wincanton and Doncaster.
His London Prize – sent off at 4-1 - won the Elite Hurdle with a smooth three-length victory. Minutes later Saunter bagged the November Handicap on the final day of the turf Flat season.
The well-backed 6-1 shot completed a hat-trick of wins for jockey Jim Crowley.
Williams said: “It’s not been a bad 20 minutes. It’s lovely to do it on the Flat and over jumps.
“I think Saunter's beaten a quality field. I thought he had a lot to do two furlongs out but Jim has given him a great ride.”