LAST Saturday was an anniversary of sorts for Bryony Frost.

It was on the same day 12 months ago that she launched herself headlong into the public psyche with the ride that she gave Present Man to win the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton.

She had come to attention before that. She had ridden Pacha Du Polder to win the Foxhunter at Cheltenham in March 2017, a month after she had ridden him to win a hunters’ chase at Bangor.

But she was an amateur then, riding against fellow amateurs. She was a professional by the time she rode Present Man to win the Badger Ales 12 months ago.

She cut loose last season. She won a big handicap hurdle at Newbury on Old Guard, she won a big handicap chase at Cheltenham on Frodon, and she won the Classic Chase at Warwick on Milansbar, whom she also rode to finish fifth in the Grand National.

And she rode Black Corton.

Black Corton didn’t go anywhere without Bryony Frost last season. Together they won seven chases, the Grade 1 Kauto Star Chase and the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase among them.

There’s her personality of course, vivacious and effervescent and infectious, but there is also her talent. Horses appear to run and jump for her. And there’s her tactical nous.

Her awareness of pace. Frodon in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree in October was one example. Present Man at Wincanton last Saturday was another.

She went to Kempton on Monday then and steered Marienstar to an easy victory. Led all the way. That was win number 75, and that was the end of her claim.

Her last winner as a claiming professional. No more (3). Now she is swimming in the deep waters of open competition.

There is no reason for trainers to put her up now other than for her talent. But that’s reason enough. She is a highly talented rider.

If Bryony Frost is looking for inspiration, she only needs to look across the Irish Sea.

Rachael Blackmore rode a double at Thurles on Monday for Shark Hanlon – two rides, two winners – and she rode another double at Fairyhouse on Wednesday for Henry de Bromhead. Three rides, two winners.

That brought her up to 55 wins for the season so far, back to within one of championship leader Paul Townend.

As with Bryony Frost now, Rachael Blackmore has no claim. She hasn’t had one since June last year. There is no reason for trainers to put her up other than for her talent.

You don’t have to look that hard for evidence of that. Bedrock in the WKD Hurdle from the rear. Sub Lieutenant in the Irish Daily Star Chase from the front. Ellie Mac at Fairyhouse on Wednesday. Peacock’s Secret at Naas last Saturday.

Only one rider, Andrew Lynch, has had more rides than Rachael Blackmore in Ireland this National Hunt season so far.

Her talent is reason enough.