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Pacha Du Polder and Bryony Frost win Cheltenham's Foxhunter Chase

Pacha Du Polder ridden by jockey Bryony Frost (right) on the way to winning the St. James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase during Gold C
Image: Pacha Du Polder jumps to the front under Bryony Frost

Pacha Du Polder, the horse ridden by Victoria Pendleton in 2016, won the 2017 St James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival under Bryony Frost.

Pendleton guided the 10-year-old to fifth place last year but Frost had more luck as the 16/1 shot held off a series of challengers on the run-in.

The winning jockey is the daughter of Grand National-winning jockey Jimmy Frost and she led home a 1-2 for the Paul Nicholls stable, whose better-fancied Wonderful Charm finished second at 7/2.

Barrel Of Laughs outran his 100/1 starting price back in third place with the front eight finishers covered by no more than six lengths.

Hat-trick seeking On The Fringe could only manage a game fourth at the age of 12, having been sent off the 11/8 favourite.

Nicholls said: "Everyone always expects plenty this week, it's been an amazing week.

"Saphir Du Rheu in the Gold Cup (fifth) gave me an amazing buzz and for young Bryony to ride him like that is great. She's Jimmy's (Frost, Grand National winner) daughter and to give these young girls chances is great."

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Victoria Pendleton jumps a fence on Pacha Du Polder in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham
Image: Victoria Pendleton rode Foxhunters winner Pacha Du Polder 12 months ago

Frost said: "It's hard to describe, it's an unbelievable feeling. I've watched people ride winners here, but to actually be here in this enclosure is amazing.

"To jump the last and know you're still travelling - and he tried all the way. I saw the head of Wonderful Charm and all I could think was 'don't deny me today'.

"I couldn't have asked for a better run, maybe a bit more forward but I've only been here once before and got a bit left at the start.

"This horse travelled, he jumped and he stayed on. He tried his heart out. Bangor was a lovely prep, he came here fresh and the connections filled me with confidence."

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