Bryony Frost: My year could not have started any better and I have sights set on more big-race success

I DON’T know what the rest of the year has in store, but it certainly couldn’t have started any better.

Toothless did it so easily I didn’t have to move a muscle and then Irish Hill was really tough to end the day on a double.

PA

It’s a real trek to get to Fakenham, but there was an awesome crowd, the atmosphere was great and that was the biggest prize money they’ve ever offered ­­— so to win it was mega.

Plus it is the only course where dogs are allowed in so Merlin could come and join me in the weighing room.

I don’t know why but he loves sand, and there’s a golf course in the middle of the track so he was having a blast spinning around in the bunkers.

Which meant that by the time I was racing, he was snoring away in his blanket curled up on my kit bag. Every time I came back in from a race he lifted one eye to check in, then it was straight back to snoring!

He definitely had a New Year’s Day to remember!

January is always a pretty quiet month, and I’m off to Wincanton for a couple of rides today for the boss Paul Nicholls and my other boss — my dad.

I rode DE WANTED WARRIOR (12.20) in his first-ever race at Chepstow, when he was obviously very inexperienced.

However he showed he’s an athlete when he finished third there next time.

He’s been in great order at home. I schooled him this week and he was fresh and well.

He showed us how much he’s learned and is really warming to the task,

Paul’s other horse Knowsley Road — who beat him in that first race — sets the bar having won his last three.

Then I ride TREACYS JIM (3.50) for Dad’s racing club, and it would be great to give them a good spin because they are all so enthusiastic about the sport.

The Frost Racing Club offers the chance to be involved on a personal basis for pretty much the price of a Kit Kat a day!

In many ways that’s what it’s all about — a chance to see your horse run, meet the jockey, go to the paddock and just have a good day out. You could even bring your dog if the horse runs at Fakenham!

Treacys Jim has no weight, the conditions will be pretty testing, and he picked up some nice prize money last year.

Hopefully he’ll give everyone something to cheer about.

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