Saturday 14 April 2018 19:54, UK
Trainer Neil King saluted the performance of Bryony Frost after she finished a fine fifth aboard Milansbar in the Randox Health Grand National.
Frost has been the rising star of the weighing room this season, striking Grade One gold along the way, and gave King's 11-year-old every chance in the world's greatest steeplechase at Aintree.
Having raced prominently throughout, the veteran found a few too strong at the business end, but stuck on gallantly at the finish.
And while the wait for a female-ridden winner of the National goes on, King could not have been more proud of horse and rider.
He said: "He has run really nicely there. She gave him a smashing ride and he gave her a great ride.
"His jumping was just as we thought, which was absolutely immaculate. He was eighth jumping the last, then he got a second wind to run on again and finish fifth.
"He was the first English horse home, which was nice.
"The ground had dried up a bit, but it was soft, which he wants, so there are no excuses."
Frost said: "It was just an amazing feeling. He gave me the best first spin I could ever ask for.
"He battled hard to be fifth and deserves every pat he has got. Everyone is in tears washing him down.
"It is an amazing race and you can be so proud of your horses and what you've asked them to do.
"Down by Valentine's, he just started to come underneath me a little bit and I had to give him a minute, as it is a long way home.
"We went a lovely, even gallop and I kept him in his own space, but that is where he is happy at and you've got to ride them where they are happy."
Katie Walsh, who was third in 2012 with Seabass, the best finish for a female rider to date, was last of the 12 finishers this time on Baie Des Iles.
She said: "I was badly hampered at Valentine's, but she ran well."
Rachael Blackmore's mount Alpha Des Obeaux came down at the Chair.
She said: "He was travelling nicely, but fell."
