Replica fences give Frost taste of Aintree challenge

Frost was reunited with Neil King’s 11-year-old for the first time since the partnership claimed the Classic Chase at Warwick in January.

And the 22-year-old rider could not have been happier with her National mount ahead of her date with destiny on Saturday week.

She said: “We took him up to Lambourn and you could see how well he jumped those fences.

“His heart is in jumping, so I’m sure after jumping the first couple he’ll love those fences.

“He’s 11 years old. He knows what he’s doing and I couldn’t ask for a better partner.

“You need an intelligent horse, one who knows his limits, how long he can go, how short he can go. He can change his stride in a matter of metres. He’s perfect.”

Recalling the day King offered her the ride in the world’s greatest steeplechase, she said: “I was mucking out down in Ditcheat when the phone went and it was Neil,” she said.

“He said it looked like we’re going to get into the race and would I ride him? I asked Paul (Nicholls) and he said I could, so it’s great. I rang Neil back and he said ‘brilliant’.”

Frost still cannot believe how her career has taken off in such a short time. “In July I turned conditional, this time last year I was still pointing,” she said.

Frost’s father, Jimmy, won the 1989 National on Little Polveir.

Sue and Harvey Smith will bid to race a named that is being staged at Kelso in their honour today.

The 2013 Grand National-winning team saddle Just Georgie in the Sue and Harvey Smith Chase at the Scottish track.

A winner at Wetherby in February, Just Georgie runs in the colours of Margaret Scholey and her late husband Ray.

They are due to be represented by North Yorkshire National winner I Just Know in the Grand National.