Frost and Frodon going for Gold after serving up winter warmer in Cotswold Chase

Bryony Frost was daring to dream after Frodon carried the rider to a barnstorming success in the Cotswold Chase to set up a shot at the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Such is the popularity of Frost and Frodon, the crowd roared like it was the Gold Cup itself to keep Elegant Escape at arm's length on the run in, sending Cheltenham into a frenzy fit for the festival.

As thick as thieves, Frost and Frodon dared each other at their fences, neither willing to blink first, and while the winning margin had been whittled down to three-quarters of a length at the post, it was the ground the pair made at every fence that proved the difference.

“He’s a complete pleasure and I’ve never ridden a horse that has a heart like him,” said Frost, fizzing with excitement. “I don’t need to say that; you can see how brave he is for me. I call upon him and he answers me every time.

"It’s incredible the amount of support me and that horse have. Thank you to Mr and Mrs Vogt for keeping me on him when I lost my claim because that was the day I could have lost him.”

As much as Frodon wanted to attack, he had a skillful conductor to call the tune, with Frost nurturing the sweetest symphony from Frodon at his fences. The duo will now bid to repeat the performance in the Gold Cup.

Bryony Frost, Frodon and groom Michelle KramerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

“Everyone has to dream sometime,” said the rider as the focus turned to March 15. “My heart is fluttering but obviously it’s a long way from March and I’ve got to get there and he’s got to get there.

"Let’s say we do, then I’ll have an even bigger smile on my face just walking out to the paddock for him. He was getting a bit lonely on the run in but kicked on again when he felt some company.

"You’ve got to ride him positively and we had to find out if he stayed and he answered that question.”

Bookmakers appeared lukewarm on the prospect of Frodon repeating his win in the BetBright-backed trial come Gold Cup day, the majority offering between 14 and 20-1, with Betfair biggest at 33-1.

Regardless of the those odds, winning trainer Paul Nicholls was relishing the chance to go for gold.

"He loves the track and he's already rated 169, which would have put him second in last year's Gold Cup, and in a year I think is quite open I’m dead keen to go," he said.

"I don't think he's got enough pace to win a Ryanair. He showed there he stays and I think the Gold Cup is more suitable for him as he gets those horses off the bridle with his jumping.

Connections celebrate after Frodon's victoryCredit: Grossick Racing

"He got slightly tired but there's a few pounds improvement to come and I'd still ride him the same. Look at his other races, he always idles a bit like that and then stays on again."

Nicholls, who won the last of his four Gold Cups with Kauto Star ten years ago, also has King George hero and 10-1 shot Clan Des Obeaux bound for the race and believes there is little to split the pair.

"Clan Des Obeaux worked great this morning and goes to Newbury in a fortnight," said Nicholls. "I don't think there’s much between them and Frodon is definitely improving."

Runner-up Elegant Escape, who was staying on strongly after the last, is another who is Gold Cup-bound, with bookmakers making him a general 20-1 chance to come out on top.

"He made up four lengths after the last so we’ve everything to play for," said trainer Colin Tizzard. "It was a good trial that tested every horse and we came out of it staying on, so we’ve got a chance. There’s not much between any of them."

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app