Bryony Frost: I can’t wait for the Cheltenham Festival to start – but first I have business to attend to at Sandown

THE Festival is just a few days away and, like everyone, I’m really looking forward to it. For us jockeys, we just want to get there in full working order but there’s no point wrapping ourselves up in cotton wool —  I’m just as likely to tumble down the stairs! The next three days will […]

THE Festival is just a few days away and, like everyone, I’m really looking forward to it.

For us jockeys, we just want to get there in full working order but there’s no point wrapping ourselves up in cotton wool —  I’m just as likely to tumble down the stairs!

PA

Bryony has two good rides at Sandown before her attentions turn to Cheltenham[/caption]

The next three days will feel like three months until finally it gets under way.

Cheltenham is the pinnacle of our sport and everyone is very excited.

Even the races you’re not involved in, the big clashes and the big names, you want to see who comes out on top.

That’s the beauty of this sport but, first things first, I have two good rides at Sandown this afternoon.

I was at Lucy Wadham’s in Newmarket on Wednesday for the last bit of schooling before the Festival. Martello Sky and Graystone both had their last pop.

Then there were a few of her Flat horses having a first go over hurdles. That’s always exciting and hopefully a few of those will switch to my code in the near future!

Today I ride MISTRAL NELL in the Listed bumper (3.00) for Lucy. She goes well at home and has recently been schooling over hurdles for the first time.

She’s an athletic horse and was in season last time when she ran at Huntingdon, you can forget that.

She gave me a good feel at Fakenham before that and that’s not an easy track for a young horse to start out on with its undulations and tight turns.

We feel she deserves another go at trying to get some black-type and she should like the ground.

FLIC OU VOYOU (3.35) is a horse I know well. He’s usually very slick but it’s all about confidence with him. He likes going right-handed so Sandown will be up his street.

Paul also has Danny Kirwan in the race. He’ll like the good ground. They both have good chances.

I enjoyed the Sunracing preview night in London on Monday. It’s great to go through the big races and hear everyone’s opinions.

There were certainly a few of those flying around and some great stories from back in the day, too.

Richard Johnson had some great views and I found it fascinating to compare my thoughts with his about riding the track.

Harry Findlay was a good laugh and at least Kim Bailey kept Matt Chapman in check!

Bryony Frost is a Betfair ambassador. Read her blog at betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/

FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

---

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org