Frodon bids to state Gold Cup credentials in Cotswold Chase

Cheltenham specialist Frodon will be given the chance to earn a spot in the Magners Gold Cup as the seven-year-old embarks on a fact-finding mission in the Grade 2 BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase a week on Saturday.

Frodon, who will be ridden by regular rider Bryony Frost, ranges from 7-1 to 16-1 for the Ryanair Chase at the festival following an impressive victory in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, but connections are favouring the 3m1f Gold Cup trial as his next target.

Owner Paul Vogt said: "I'm not in charge. It's Paul's plan and he knows a lot more than me, so I'm just going along with it. It's a pretty new idea, so we're still getting used to it, but the plan is to see if he stays on trials day and if he does then we have a decision to make, and if he doesn't the decision is made for us.

"There are a lot of other things to consider and it could be that the Ryanair is easier to win, but I'll be guided by Paul and Bryony, who will ride wherever he goes.

"She's such a nice person and the post-race review is something to behold – she's a really great girl and gets such a tune out of him.

"He's brilliant around Cheltenham but has to step up. He's been handicapping until now, but it's a nice decision to have. We never thought we'd be here this time a year ago."

Frodon has run nine times at Cheltenham, winning on three occasions. He also finished runner-up to Baron Alco in the BetVictor Gold Cup and finished fifth in last year's Ryanair, 37 lengths behind Balko Des Flos.

He followed that up with a disappointing performance in the Silver Trophy, but wind surgery over the summer has prompted a resurgence, and Frodon is now two from three this season and is officially rated 169.

The son of Nickname has run three times over three miles, finishing second twice and falling on the other occasion.

Should Frodon earn his way into the Gold Cup field, he would give Frost the chance to become the first female jockey to win the most prestigious prize in jumps racing.

Lizzie Kelly has ridden Tea For Two in the last two Gold Cups, but before her the only previous woman to have contested the race was Linda Sheedy, who pulled up on 500-1-shot Foxbury in 1984.

Frodon, should he prove his stamina for the Gold Cup, would give Nicholls a strong second string to a bow already quivering with King George winner Clan Des Obeaux who, like Frodon, raced for the ten-time champion trainer as a juvenile.

Frodon's price for the Gold Cup ranges from 25-1 to 50-1, while Clan Des Obeaux is no better than 10-1.

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