Saturday 17 February 2018 15:09, UK
The Black Corton and Bryony Frost partnership came up trumps once again with an impressive performance in the Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot.
Since teaming up together over fences in July, the pair have faced the starter eight times together and only met with defeat once, at Newbury in December.
As Black Corton had won the Grade One Kauto Star Novices' Chase last time out, he was giving weight away to his three rivals and turning into the straight he looked a little vulnerable.
Ms Parfois and Mount Mews both appeared to be going every bit as well as the eventual winner in front, but Black Corton had been saved for a finishing burst and without visibly asking for too much, Frost kicked clear and the race was soon over.
The 10-11 favourite, trained by Paul Nicholls, never put a foot wrong as Frost continued her incredible run of big-race Saturday successes.
Black Corton was cut from 8/1 for the RSA Chase by Sky Bet.
Nicholls said: "He got beat at Newbury because I couldn't believe what he was doing (at home). We should have made more use of him that day. We have done since and he's kept on winning and getting better. He's taken it to another level today.
"He was ready to run, but he will improve on that. At Kempton he trod on the bulb of his heel and was in his box for a fortnight.
"We gave him a break and he hasn't had a massive amount of work. We thought he'd need it, but he looked really well and he has just astonished me how he's found what he's got.
"It's the eighth time he's won from 10 starts over fences. He shouldn't have got beat at Worcester and then I got him beat tactically at Newbury, because I didn't have enough faith in him.
"He's got stamina and he jumps and he just keeps improving.
"If he keeps putting in performances like that and improves for the summer, next season he will definitely be aimed for the King George, because Kempton suits him brilliantly.
"You'd have to be looking at that type of race, how far he can go who knows, but he is going the right way at the moment."
Part-owner Jeremy Kyle said: "Andy Stewart (another part-owner) said ages ago he was an RSA horse and I'll go further and say next year he'll be a Gold Cup horse."
Frost said: "It was just hands heels. I didn't need to get serious on him. It's exactly what I wanted to do.
"I walked the course with my dad (Jimmy, Grand National-winning jockey) this morning and said I wanted to make it as easy as possible.
"I shouldn't have even give him a squeeze. I should have left him alone to bowl along home.
"This horse is an absolute privilege to be alongside."
