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BRYONY FROST has already been booked for a big Grand National ride on a ‘classy’ former Cheltenham Festival winner.
The trailblazing rider has been busy forging a path in France as retained rider for top class owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
GettyShe decided to pack up and leave Britain behind last April – after the world-famous Aintree meeting – with rides drying up in her homeland.
But she is back in demand for the big one on Saturday, April 5 – so much so that master trainer Paul Nicholls has already reserved her.
Frost will get the leg up on former Albert Bartlett winner Stay Away Fay in the £1million contest.
Formerly owned by Chris Giles, Stay Away Fay is a strong stayer who relished the Cheltenham hill when landing the Group 1 in 2023.
He had big names Monty’s Star, fourth in this year’s Gold Cup, and 2024 Ultima winner Chianti Classico miles behind.
Stay Away Fay’s form over fences has dropped off since then but on the plus side it means he could be very well handicapped for Aintree.
The eight-year-old will carry just 10st9lbs having been assigned a rating of 150 and is a best-price 66-1 to land the £500,000 first-place prize.
Nicholls, who last won the race with Neptune Collonges in that unforgettable 2012 thriller, is set to saddle four others in the race.
No1 rider Harry Cobden has been booked on Coral Gold Cup winner Kandoo Kid.
Harry Skelton is set to ride Threeunderthrufive, Freddie Gingell is pencilled in for Hitman and James Reveley will be on former King George winner Bravemansgame.
Willie Mullins’ defending champion I Am Maximus is laboured with the 11st12lbs top weight.
He will be back to defend his crown but one horse who won’t be running is Gold Cup king Inothewayurthinkin.
Gavin Cromwell confirmed during today’s scratching stage that the giant 3-1 favourite will miss the race, despite being a stone ‘well-in’.
The Irish handler said he believes the 4m2f contest is not right for his stable star this year.
Inothewayurthinkin could yet return for the Punchestown Gold Cup, the feature race of their festival starting next month.
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