Bryony Frost showcased her ability to produce a winner on the big day as she triumphed in the Close Brothers Red Rum Chase at Aintree aboard Sans Bruit.

The 5-1 chance had been partnered by Frost in one of his three previous British starts and came into the race having yet to get off the mark in this country, with his light weight prompting trainer Paul Nicholls to give Frost the ride rather than stable jockey Harry Cobden.

The opportunity was grabbed with both hands and the horse was settled quickly into an even rhythm, jumping fluently all the way and gaining ground at every fence.

Turning for home he was at the head of affairs and just continued to pull away, jumping the last in isolation and crossing the line four lengths ahead of 9-2 favourite Saint Roi.

“Every race on the big stage is always going to hit where you want it to – the adrenalin, the focus and the positive nerves before,” Frost said after the win.

“The instructions were that if he was really keen to go out in front, then do what you do. The start was a bit of a muddle, but luckily he stayed really relaxed for it and I was able to get into a good position.

“I found a rhythm, we got in some really lovely breathers and when someone came to my girths, he picked up again and I thought ‘if you’ve got that much petrol, let’s start rolling’.”

By her own admission Frost has been frustrated by a lack of chances this season, a situation that has led her to consider the possibility of riding in France.

She added: “The opportunities come when they come, you’re thankful when they do and you try to make it happen.

“There is frustration, of course there is, you’ve got so much to offer, but you can only work with the opportunities that you’re getting and be thankful for the ones you get, whether they’re coming quickly or months apart.

“I’m buzzing we’ve got a big win. The crowd and the fans here are phenomenal, you feel the support and I feel it on the daily at the tracks when I’m riding.

“Parts of the season have been pushing more uphill, but you can’t sit down and cry about it, you’ve just got to get on and make the most of it when it comes.

“We’re not riding this Saturday and there is frustration, of course there is. You’re in the game to win and you want to ride and be out there. There’s nothing you can do about it, just keep working hard.”

On a possible French switch, she added: “You get a girls’ allowance out there, which is a huge advantage for me. It would be silly not to take advantage of that.

“You give me the ammunition, I’ll make it happen.”

Cheltenham Festival runner-up Its On The Line (3-1 favourite) went one better when landing the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase for Derek O’Connor.

The seven-year-old was kept out of trouble by O’Connor through the early stages before he delivered Emmet Mullins’ charge with a perfectly-timed challenge to score by four and a quarter lengths from the admirable Bennys King.

Mullins said: “He’s got ability and Derek is good and persistent on him and gets everything out of him. We were thankful for the loose horses today as it meant he had a bit of company and he was able to stretch out and go away, he’s done it well in the finish.

“He takes his races very well, last season he ran at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown so he has a great constitution. I think he’ll stay hunter chasing as it’s great to be able to come to these meetings and have a horse with a big chance. Fingers crossed he keeps doing the business.”

O’Connor added: “They went a ferocious gallop and he was a little bit off the bridle, but one thing he does is jump and he was jumping well all the way.

“We got a little bit of stick after Cheltenham, he lacks that bit of class to travel in a race but he leaves it all on the line every day and puts it all in when it comes down to it.

“Emmet’s a genius and it’s a privilege to put on these (JP McManus) colours every day.”

The closing Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race went the way of Ben Pauling’s Diva Luna (13-2), who made all the running under Kielan Woods.

“That was a great ride, she was good wasn’t she? She’s a nice horse,” said Pauling.

“He kept it very simple, we knew at Market Rasen that she had gears so the plan was to dictate and kick as late as we could. I think he knew he had plenty left.

“She won’t run again this season and she’ll go hurdling next season, she’s got a lot of class.”

Bryony Frost is considering splitting her time between England and France in search of further opportunities.

The jockey has enjoyed many high-profile successes on British shores, notably winning the 2019 Ryanair Chase and 2020 King George aboard Frodon and the Tingle Creek on Greaneteen in 2021.

She has countless other graded wins to her name and rides predominantly in Britain for Paul Nicholls, Lucy Wadham and her father Jimmy.

Now Frost may branch out and head across the Channel to establish herself in France, where she has been riding out for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, the team behind Il Est Francais, and Louisa Carberry.

“It’s about getting to know the horses, the training and the way of life,” she told the Sun.

“It’s about laying bricks to build the pyramid of another opportunity - although I have to admit my French is minimal!

“I must say Noel has a brilliant team of people and horses, and I sat on some gorgeous three-year-olds this week.

“It’s a liquid situation currently, but who knows what’s on the horizon?”

The French and English seasons run on different schedules, which would allow Frost to take rides in both jurisdictions – with France’s female rider allowance of particular benefit to her in handicaps there.

“Obviously our season is still rolling, and I’ll be working as hard as ever here, but the French and English basically have split calendars, so let’s see where we go,” she said.

“I’m happy to graft for the chance and, after more than 1,700 rides and over 200 winners, have total confidence in my ability.

“And, of course, in France the female jockeys get a near-5lb allowance in all handicaps, so I’d certainly snap up the benefit of that thank you!

“I’m keeping an open mind about things, but if the right openings come, I’ll grab them with both hands.”

Bryony Frost will be on the sidelines for a couple of days following a fall while schooling on Monday.

Frost, who has been in a rich vein of form in recent weeks, hopes to be back in action at Ascot on Friday and then again on Saturday when she is due to ride the Paul Nicholls-trained Red Risk in the Howden Long Walk Hurdle.

She had been due to ride at Fakenham on Tuesday and Newbury on Wednesday, but has sat those out in an attempt to ensure she is fit for the weekend and, further ahead, the ride on Frodon in the King George on Boxing Day.

Her agent Iain Turner said: “She’s had a spill while schooling and we’re planning on her being back at the weekend.

“It’s one of those – with Boxing Day coming up it’s just a case of not taking any risks, which is frustrating as she had some nice chances at Fakenham.

“She’s been on a good run since her injury, and of course she was just touched off in the December Gold Cup on Il Ridoto on Saturday so this has just halted everything.

“As far as I know everything is set for her being back at Ascot on Friday, then she’s got Red Risk in the Long Walk and Frodon on Boxing Day to look forward to.”