Frodon Gold Cup bound

After Frodon’s success on Cheltenham’s Trials’ Day in the Cotswold Chase, connections seem to be favouring a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup rather than the Ryanair for this year’s Festival.

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Paul Nicholls’ charge has enjoyed a remarkable couple of seasons. His win on Saturday in Grade 2 company is his outstanding win to date, a third Graded success this season.

Wind surgery works the trick

The French-bred has improved for wind surgery in the summer and the gelding is going from strength to strength this season. There had been questions of how well he would see out the new trip and the line couldn’t come soon enough for Frodon whose length was shortening with every stride towards the line on Saturday.

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However, the seven-year-old fought of the efforts of Elegant Escape who is a strong stayer on his day and Nicholls has now made his aims clear with regards Cheltenham.

He said after the race “I’m not worried about the trip. He was big and bold at the last so I know he wasn’t tired, and he is just idle.

“A Grade 1 is different and if he is in the first four, I will be thrilled.”

Nicholls with strong hand

The former Champion Trainer’s view wasn’t shared by everyone post-race.Considering the trainer already has King George winner, Clan Des Obeaux, lined up for Cheltenham’s Blue Ribband event, his appetite for the Gold Cup is worth noting.

Bookmakers however seem largely unconvinced by the performance, still widely available to back at 20/1 for the race and some of his rivals have come in for heavy market support in recent weeks, including Presenting Percy after last week’s success in Ireland boosted his claims.

Right, the dust has settled and everyone has said their piece. If you owned Frodon, which race would you want him to run in at the Cheltenham Festival?

— Kevin Blake (@kevinblake2011) January 28, 2019

The Cotswold Chase hasn’t been a strong trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in recent times and when the dust has settled on this weekend’s success, it would be no surprise to see connections switch for a tilt at the Ryanair over two miles five furlongs.