Byrony Frost© Photo Healy Racing
Bryony Frost is relishing the prospect of being reacquainted with Black Corton the Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot on Saturday.
The 3lb claimer enjoyed a landmark success in her fledgling career when lifting the Grade One Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton St Stephen's Day aboard Paul Nicholls' runner.
Frost is again set to take the mount aboard the seven-year-old in this weekend's Grade Two heat and is thrilled to extend their association, which so far encompasses six wins in seven starts since last June.
Speaking at a media day at Nicholls' Ditcheat base, she said: "It's a big Saturday. We keep getting lucky and Paul keeps putting us on these marvellous horses. We've got Black Corton and we know we have got a good partner in that. I think he has surprised everyone. He is awesome.
"When I turned conditional, Paul and the owners were keen to get me on the right foot and it is important for jockeys, too.
"It just so happened that the little horse I got legged up on at Worcester was Black Corton and who would believe that every time we ask him to give more, he gives more. He has proved a point and I am privileged to be on him.
"I don't know why we get on, we just do. It is an impossible question, we just fit in the groove together and we ride the same wave.
"He feels great, he is his old self. He is awesome and jumping is the name of the game. At Newbury, we weren't quite the same horse in the first mile and he took a bit of time to warm up.
"We were going into Kempton knowing we were 100 per cent. Paul said 'kick on and make the pace strong as we know he stays and jumps and put his fitness to the test' and that is exactly what we did.
"The gallop we went was ridiculous and I don't think we were far behind Might Bite, so to think of the little horse doing times like that, it's awesome. He was electric.
"He has had a break and that is why we want to get him out and get the ball rolling, as the big questions come at the Festival."
Nicholls said: "The intention is to run on Saturday. Bryony always rides him. He won the Kauto Star at Christmas and has astonished me with his improvement. He has won seven from nine. He has just kept on improving.
"The maximum he was over hurdles was about 135 and I just thought he would be a summer horse but now he is rated 155 plus.
"He has got to do a piece of work on Thursday to make sure we are happy. He has done all the work he has wanted to do so we will go to Ascot on Saturday before going to Cheltenham (RSA Insurance Chase)."
Black Corton is one of six entries received for the Reynoldstown so far, with the three-mile heat reopened until Tuesday morning.
