In Grand National week, we hear the memories of local trainer Jimmy Frost, who rode the winner of the great race in 1989.
Those recollections are like it was yesterday and Jimmy is hoping that daughter Bryony, who rides Yala Enki in this year’s renewal, will have cause for similar celebrations in 2021.
Jimmy felt his chances on Little Polveir were much stronger than the 28/1 being offered by the bookmakers.
Before that, however, he had to return to the South West to both ride at Exeter on Friday and before that collect his new car from local dealership A J Blackler, which he would then use to drive back to Aintree on Friday night.
Jimmy takes up the story: "Friday was a very difficult day. I got beaten by a very inexperienced rider on a well fancied horse of Toby Baldings called Farm Week that Toby expected to win.
"I was disappointed and when heading straight after racing on the long drive back to Liverpool with fellow jockeys Lorna Vincent and Jamie Railton, I pulled off at Taunton to have a conversation with Toby.
"He was a fiery character and clearly thought that I should have won and gave me an enormous rollicking for getting beaten.
"I felt that low that if Lorna and Jamie hadn’t been with me, I may have simply turned around and headed home. I couldn’t let them down being the driver.
“We were a little late on arriving into Liverpool and missed a red light and were soon pulled up by a local policeman.
"Fortunately, he was a racing fan and recognised us as jockeys and, after a quick chat in which he asked me about Little Polveir's chances, he let us go on our way without a fine.
"I often wonder whether he backed him the following day. Therefore, it was pretty tense when we arrived at the Racing Club event.
"Toby was clearly still unhappy about the earlier defeat at Exeter but also uptight about the following day when Little Polveir was only a minor act.
"The two stable stars Beech Road and Morley Street were both also on the card in important supporting races. I was riding Morley Street and was left in no uncertain terms that defeat was not an option.
“Little Polveir gave me a dream ride. He didn’t make a mistake all the way around and I never felt under pressure at any stage and felt that we were going to win a long way out.
"For my first ride in the National, it was remarkably plain sailing. It was all about the experienced horse knowing his way around. I just had to guide him.”
The day ended with a double for Jimmy and a treble for Toby who was a much happier and calmer man than the one Jimmy encountered on Friday.
This wasn’t the end of Jimmy’s relationship with the Grand National and, although he never won it again, he had memorable rides on Topsham Bay and St Melions Fairway in the years ahead.
He sincerely hopes that love affair reaches a different level in this year’s renewal with daughter Bryony riding one of her favourite horses Yala Enki for Paul Nichols.
Asked about Bryony’s chances and any advice he would give, Jimmy said: “Like Little Polveir, he has a better chance than his price suggests. He is an exuberant horse who stays forever.
"Yala fell on his only previous trip to Aintree when overjumping at the first and Bryony’s challenge will be to settle him over those first four critical fences and achieve a racing rhythm out wide, avoiding the trouble that can occur at the fences. I am hopeful she will do well.”
When asked about her main rivals, he did not feel that the favourite Cloth Cap merited his short price but did feel that course winner Kimberlite Candy was a big threat.