Cheltenham 2019: Bryony Frost makes history as bookmakers rue ‘worst ever’ Festival day

Bryony Frost propelled herself into racing's limelight on an emotional and profitable day three at Cheltenham, which bookmakers have described as their "worst ever" at the Festival.

Frost made history of her own by becoming the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 race at the Festival when she produced a stunning performance to see well-fancied 9/2 Paul Nicholls-trained Frodon first past the post in the Ryanair Chase.

Heavy favourite Paisley Park followed suit and won the feature race of the day, the Stayers’ Hurdle, for owner Andrew Gemmell, who was born blind.

Paisley Park is the only Grade 1 winner Emma Lavelle has trained and it justified its 11/8 price with a fine run at the hands of Aidan Coleman.

Willie Mullins-trained Faugheen and Sam Spinner set the initial pace after the favourite made an early mistake, but a late surge from Paisley Park ensured it continued its unbeaten form this season.

“This is fantastic and a real dream for me,” said an emotional Gemmell. “I cannot believe it has happened.

“I hope this is the first of many because I will keep coming back. We are so chuffed and we’re all in tears.”

Gemmell is a huge fan of late American singer Price and named the Festival winning horse after one of his songs, Paisley Park also runs in West Ham’s colours, his favourite football team.

“This has been a brilliant journey and I have enjoyed it all the way,” he added. “I’ve been to Cheltenham for years and years. It is just something else to be in the winner’s enclosure.”

A 20-year wait for a first top-level win for Lavelle was ended by Paisley Park at Ascot in December, and she only had to wait less than three months for the next.

“It’s different gravy. It’s just a different level. People are giving three cheers for Paisley Park!” she said. “I cannot say quite how bad our hangovers are going to be in the morning.”

The Stayers’ Hurdle is registered at the feature race on Thursday, but the Pestbury Park crowd were in awe of Frost’s run on Frodon in the Ryanair Chase. The seven-year-old cemented its status as a Cheltenham favourite with its third win in as many visits to the Gloucestershire racecourse.

Wiping away the tears in the parade ring, Frost said: “Frodon has got his day. He is Pegasus, he has wings, and he is the most incredible battler.

“He travelled and by God he jumps. When he got overtaken two out, most horses would quit, but he grabbed me by the hands and said, ‘don’t you dare give up, don’t you dare not send me into the last, I want this more than you, now come on’.”

Lizzie Kelly then became the third female rider to win at the Festival this year, repeating her Trails Day win over Janika on Siruh Du Lac to win the Handicap Steeple Chase.

Kelly became the first-ever professional female jockey to win at the Festival last year and was delighted to join Frost and Rachael Blackmore, who won on A Plus Tard in Tuesday’s Close Brothers Novices’ Chase, in winning this year.

“It was fantastic watching Bryony (Frost). She and Rachael (Blackmore) are excellent jockeys and are making us perform better. I am delighted we have a really good girls’ weighing room at the moment. With three winners this week, it is very good.”

Earlier in the day, Barry Geraghty got his first win of the 2019 Festival on 3/1 favourite Defi Du Seuil in the JLT and followed it with victory in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle on 4/1 market leader Sire Du Berlais to complete a quick-fire double.

The two early favourites securing victory as well as wins for well-fancied Frodon and Paisley Parks meant that it was a costly day for bookmakers. After a successful first two days, Thursday was described by one leading bookmaker as one of the worst days at the Festival in history.

Any Second Now won the final race, and Noel Fehily rode 50/1 Eglantine Du Seuil to victory in the Mares’ Novices Hurdle to secure his first win on his last Cheltenham Festival. The 2018 Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase winning jockey confirmed his decision to retire after the race. “This is going to be my last Festival as I am getting a bit old for this job,” said the 43-year-old. “It has been a fantastic time. I love riding horses, but it’s time to let everyone else get on with it.”