Biddlecombe and Knight back Frost to follow father’s footsteps

His father Jimmy, now a West Country trainer, won the 1989 renewal on Little Polveir before the 20-year-old was even born.

And Calgary Bay is trained by Henrietta Knight, the three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning handler whose husband, Terry Biddlecombe, is the former champion jockey, who regularly rode in the National.

Knight – forever associated with the brilliant and much-missed Best Mate – has always had Aintree in mind for Calgary Bay since winning a handicap chase at Doncaster in December, 2009.

She also has no qualms about her rookie rider whom she likens to a ‘proper horseman’, even though it was Robert Thornton who rode stable star Somersby at Cheltenham and who will be in the plate at Aintree tomorrow when the horse lines up in the Melling Chase.

“Terry has been great,” Frost junior told the Yorkshire Post. “He says it is all about helping the horse, getting in a good rhythm and letting him see the fences. He says the course is much easier than his day – but I’m not sure if I believe him.

“I’m excited and I’ve watched dad’s race many times. He says he’s not bothered, but I don’t believe him. Of course he is. Mum’s the nervous one. She might brave it to the course. Otherwise, she’ll record it and wait to hear I’m okay.

“Calgary Bay is certainly one of the classier horses in the race. The worry is whether he will stay four-and-a-half miles. He’s better now than when we were sixth to Nacarat in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby last year.”

Though Frost’s career is still at a formative stage, he is proud that he has the chance for his family to become the second father and son to win the National, following in the footsteps of Aintree heroes Tommy and Paul Carberry.

“Dad would definitely watch the replays,” added Frost.