Frost feeling good about National hopes

Bryony Frost believes Milansbar is running well ahead of next weekend's Grand National.

The 11-year-old is being prepared for a first career run at Aintree and the signs are good ahead of his National bow, having been schooled over replica fences in Lambourn.

Frost and Milansbar have a good record together, having claimed January's Classic Chase at Warwick, and the jockey comes with Aintree glory in her genes.

Her father, Jimmy, won the Grand National on Little Polveir in 1989 and a victory next weekend would see her become the first female jockey to win the famous steeplechase.

After finding her mount to her liking Thursday, the 22-year-old says she is excited about the prospect of riding Neil King's horse, although concedes she will need some luck to take the honours.

She told the Daily Mirror: “This is the second time I've ever sat on him. I was happy. When I asked him, he delivered for me. He jumped those fences great.

“He's worked really nicely. It was spot-on – you can't ask for a better day.”

She added: “You need a hell of a lot of luck. You could be the best horse in the race but if one horse brings you down, that's the end of the game.”