Defending champion Frodon set for Down Royal battle with Elliott's big guns

Frodon: last year's Down Royal hero reported in top form in bid for repeatCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The first Grade 1 of the jumps season is shaping up to be a sizzler with Frodon on course to defend his Ladbrokes Champion Chase crown at Down Royal on Saturday week (2.32) when a clash with Gordon Elliott's big guns Conflated and Galvin is on the cards.

Paul Nicholls is the most successful trainer in the history of the Down Royal showpiece thanks to the victories of Taranis (2007), Kauto Star (2008, 2010), Kauto Stone (2012) and Frodon (2021) and he is intent on adding another line to that roll of honour.

Nicholls said: "The plan is to send Frodon to Down Royal. I’m very happy with him, he had an away day on Monday by having a gallop in Lambourn. It’s exactly the same as we did last year. We’re happy with him so we intend to go there."

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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 25 October 2022inNews

Last updated 16:57, 25 October 2022

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