'That was probably a career-best run' - Paul Nicholls hails Frodon victory

Paul Nicholls believes Frodon produced a career-best performance when winning the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday and has not ruled out a return trip to Ireland next year.

The nine-year-old, who finished clear of Galvin and Gold Cup winner Minella Indo under Bryony Frost, will head straight to Kempton to defend his crown in the King George VI Chase before a potential tilt at the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February.

"That was probably a career-best run from him," said Nicholls, who landed the Grade 1 for a record-extending fifth time. "I think Clan Des Obeaux underperformed in the King George, so this was probably Frodon's best performance beating Galvin and the Gold Cup winner.