Mike Cattermole column as he visits Jonjo O'Neill's stable and backs Call Me Lord for Ascot honours

FRODON THE STAR AT A FREEZING CHELTENHAM

I can’t recall going racing on a more hostile day, weather-wise, than at Cheltenham on Saturday.

No wonder people stayed away - the gusts of wind almost knocked you off your feet (it took the hinge off the door to my commentary box) and those, combined with the bitter wind-chill effect in the persistent rain, meant maximum respect for the brave horses and riders.

By defying top weight in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, Frodon was star of the show along with Bryony Frost, of course, who added another big success to her burgeoning CV. Frost and Frodon, what a combination, took the race to Baron Alco and beat him at his own game as they exacted rich revenge for their defeat in November.

Although Poquelin had won the race twice before, Frodon became the first horse to regain the December Gold Cup having won it at the tender age of four two years earlier. What a performer he has become – a proper jumper and a real trier - and one with a stack of ability, too. What isn’t there to like?

Having won this off 164, he has been raised to a mark of 169 which puts him right into the picture for the Ryanair Chase next March.

I wrote about Charbel heading for that race last week but he is rated 7lb below Frodon who also has by far the better record at Cheltenham. Indeed, Frodon has now won three times over the Ryanair course and distance on the New Course.

As well as winning this race in 2016, he was also brilliant when landing the big handicap chase at the end of January as he slammed Shantou Flyer by a huge 17 lengths.

Frodon’s rating is now higher than Min, the Ryanair ante-post favourite, Balko Des Flos, who won it last year, and the evergreen Un De Sceaux.

Let’s see if he can keep his form this season and, if he does, the Ryanair is going to be one heck of a race.

JONJO WAITING FOR THE NEXT STAR

I called in to see Jonjo O’Neill at Jackdaws Castle on Sunday morning and, as always, the living legend was in chipper form.

While Paul Nicholls has brought through Politologue and Frodon, for example, to help fill the void left by retired stars, Jonjo is waiting to find replacements for the likes of Synchronised, More Of That and Taquin De Seuil.

At least Martin Broughton and Friends, who owned Taquin, have a nice young one in Arrivederci, a son of Martaline, who made a winning debut for the yard in a bumper at Hereford last Saturday.

The JP McManus-owned Minella Rocco is still in training but the big boy is notoriously fragile. Even so the 2017 Gold Cup runner-up still has time on his side as he is only rising nine.

Palmers Hill, who famously provided Jonjo junior with a first win at Cheltenham last month, looks to have a bright future but he has suffered a setback and so plans are on hold for him.

Jonjo, who continues to work hard at the sales, has upgraded the Polytrack on the gallops and also installed the new fashionable rubber hurdles on the schooling grounds.

He reported: “Horses seem to respect them and jump better. There aren’t so many cuts and bruises to deal with, either, so the vets bills are cheaper!”

CALL ME CAN LORD IT IN THE LONG WALK HURDLE

Sam Spinner will wear cheekpieces for the first time as he tries to win the JLT Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday for the second year running.

I hope they work but they will need to as he has not looked the same horse since his big win and he was struggling at Newbury last month when losing his rider some way out.

That race went to Unowhatimeanharry, winner of the Long Walk in 2016, and looking ready to run another big one again.

However, when he signed off with a brilliant display at Sandown last April, Call Me Lord left a huge impression and I can’t wait to see how he gets on over this extended three miles. He was far too good for the likes of Lil Rockefeller and Wholestone over 2m5f then and could be just too classy. But he needs to switch off to give himself a chance to stay!

Over to you Daryl Jacob who sticks with him at the expense of the talented Top Notch who will have some smart chasing targets to tackle later in the season no doubt.

The progressive pair Soul Emotion and recent impressive Kempton scorer Younevercall make this a fascinating renewal, but Call Me Lord can come late and beat them all.

RETRAINING OF RACEHORSES AWARDS

I had the honour of sharing the presenting honours with Luke Harvey at last week’s ROR Annual Awards, held at the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket.

Some of these end-of-year awards nights can be a bit dry and boring – not this one!

There were a lot of genuinely lovely people in attendance and tears were shed as we heard heart-warming stories from all over the land from dedicated people who had clearly worked extremely hard to give ex-racehorses new careers in eventing, showing, dressage or polo. Or even just hacking and exercising.

Since it was developed as charity in 2000, Retraining Of Racehorses has been so successful in establishing a programme of competitions and educational events across the country.

Di Arbuthnot is the proud chief executive with Paul Roy overseeing it all as chairman of the board. The progress that ROR has made is not a coincidence with those two in charge.

The ROR Horse of the Year Award went to Monkerty Tunkerty, the former nine-time winning jumper who is owned and trained by Jess Westwood.

When a horse has a name like Monkerty Tunkerty, he is always going to attract a following. Now 15, he has shown his versatility by enjoying success in showing, dressage and showjumping.

In the show ring, he won on his first attempt in open company at the Devon County Show and then started competing in affiliated British Showjumping events, winning three classes before heading to the RoR Goffs UK National Championships at Aintree. There he was placed at championship level in three different disciplines – impressive.

In every story we heard the other night, the bond between horse and rider was huge and especially so with Jess and Monkey who have helped eachother through tough times.

Jess explained: “I had a serious fall in a point-to-point and I was flown to hospital. It was my second serious head injury and for a time my left side was paralyzed. I think, to be honest, he is the reason why I am still here today. He kept me going throughout my rehabilitation.”

There was a special award given to Peopleton Brook, a one-time tough but limited sprinter who has become a star at his new Aberdeen home where Jock Hutchinson’s Horseback UK, a charity which helps physically and mentally wounded soldiers, is based.

Jock, a former Royal Marine Commando himself, said: “Peopleton Brook is a horse whose career and recovery epitomises the journeys endured by all those we serve at Horseback UK. He has a new career and has found both purpose and happiness, and in turn the servicemen and women who work with him re-discover their purpose and confidence.”

There is no arguing with that.