Bryony Frost Should be Given Chance to Shine in RSA Chase
There is still lots of work to do in terms of giving female jockeys a chance to show their worth at the elite end of horse racing. While improvements have been made in recent years, we still need to see women competing – and winning – the biggest races. The Cheltenham Festival 2018 (13th-16th March) is the perfect place to make that happen.
Of course, last year Lizzie Kelly was the first woman in over 30 years to compete in the biggest race of all at Cheltenham – the Gold Cup. The ride was a little bit of a disappointment however, with the difficult Tea for Two unseating Kelly on the second fence. Kelly showed what both her and Tea for Two are capable of a few weeks later, by winning the Grade 1 Betway Bowl Chase at Aintree just a couple of weeks later. Incidentally, you can find odds of 66/1 for Tea for Two to stun the world by winning the Gold Cup in 2018.
Bryony Frost can take a big step for female jockeys at Cheltenham 2018
While Lizzie Kelly made strides towards breaking the glass celling at Cheltenham last year, it is Bryony Frost who has perhaps the best chance of doing something special at Cheltenham this year. She has been the main rider for the highly-rated Black Corton over the last couple of seasons, with many tipsters believing the seven-year-old has a big chance in the Grade 1 RSA Chase. That would represent one of the biggest wins for a female jockey in jumps racing history.
Black Corton has a fabulous record with Frost in the saddle – winning seven of his last eight races. Although, Black Corton and Frost will face a very difficult field in the RSA Chase. The table below shows the current odds for the main contenders in the race. If you want the full picture for the Festival, check out Free Bets to get the latest Cheltenham tips to cover your latest betting needs.
|
Horse |
Odds |
Probable Jockey |
Trainer |
|
Presenting Percy |
5/2 |
Davy Russell |
Patrick Kelly |
|
Monalee |
7/2 |
Noel Fehily |
Henry de Bromhead |
|
Black Corton |
8/1 |
Bryony Frost |
Paul Nicholls |
|
Invitation Only |
12/1 |
Ruby Walsh |
Willie Mullins |
|
Al Boum Photo |
12/1 |
Paul Townend |
Willie Mullins |
*odds from Ladbrokes. RSA Chase will take place on 14th March
There is a chance that Black Corton will be entered into the National Hunt Chase on 13th March (Black Corton is 11/1 for that one), but many observers feel that the horse and Frost deserve a chance in the more prestigious RSA Chase on Ladies’ Day.
Black Corton will be backed by lots of punters in RSA Chase.
The two favourites for the race, Presenting Percy and Monalee, are highly regarded, but they will also have a lot to fear from Black Corton. Frost should also feel much more at home at the Cheltenham Festival, having bagged an impressive win in the Foxhunter Chase on Pacha du Polder at last year’s event. It looks like it will be a thrilling race, with little to choose from between the front three in the odds.
Click here to view a video of the Black Corton race.
How things will pan out for Frost at Cheltenham 2018 remains to be seen. There is always a pecking order among top jockeys for the best horses and Black Corton certainly fits that bill. However, Frost has created a beautiful partnership with the horse - one that has eclipsed the record of his male riders in the past. Both deserve their shot at glory at Cheltenham 2018.