Leading British trainer Paul Nicholls has explained that his superstar 10 year old Frodon could be kept in the Betfair Chase next time out, but another crack at the King George is his big aim.
A multiple Grade One winner taking the King George back in 2020 whilst last year on seasonal return landed the Grade One Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal.
Trained and set to head back to Northern Ireland this weekend to defend his title, the rain had gone against him and he has been diverted to Wincanton.
Racing off top weight in the 61st Badger Beers Handicap, Frodon went on to win with a bit in hand off his mark of 158, which saw the handicapper be very lenient.
All hail Frodon! 🏇
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 5, 2022
The hugely-popular Frodon defies topweight to give @PFNicholls an 11th Badger Beer Handicap Chase @wincantonraces and a third success in the race for Bryony Frost. A brilliant weight-carrying performance from the 10-year-old! pic.twitter.com/E4YY5nkDmG
He could now head straight back into Grade One company with him holding an entry in the Betfair Chase at Haydock at the end of this month, and now looking a more likely runner than he was before the weekend.
(Credit Betfair)Nicholls said: “I didn’t get chance to talk to Paul (Vogt, owner) about it on Saturday, but we said the King George would be his target.
“I would just keep half an eye on the Betfair Chase at Haydock in case it cuts up. There are only six entries and you’ve got to keep all your options open, you never know.
“I would say he had a pretty tough race down at Wincanton and the King George would be the sensible thing, but I will keep an eye on the Betfair Chase because it’s a race I like winning and it’s a race I like to have a runner in, you never know.”