Betting
ENTRY: Legendary Frodon could yet feature at 2022 Festival with Ultima run “possible”, says trainer
The people’s horse, Frodon, could have one last hoorah at the Cheltenham Festival next month
2019 Ryanair hero Frodon featured amongst Wednesday’s entries for the Ultima Handicap Chase with trainer Paul Nicholls to make a late decision on the possibility of his stable-star heading to Prestbury Park next month.
The King George victor from 14 months ago landed Grade 1 honours at Down Royal back in October before a valiant renewal in the Kempton Park renewal on Boxing Day but disappointed at Leopardstown thereafter.
However, after being removed the championship race picture at the final stage, Ditcheat chief Nicholls says his legendary representative “could run” in three weeks’ time if all falls into place.
He told the Racing Post: “I was just looking through the cards on Sunday evening and thought let’s just stick him in and have a look.
“It’s three weeks away still and he’s on the same mark he won a handicap off at the track last season. I felt it might be easier putting him in a handicap at this stage than running in the Gold Cup.
“It doesn’t mean he will definitely run but we’ll see. If we were happy he was 100 per cent fit and well and the ground was right then he could run, he’s not in there just as a placeholder. It’s taken him a fortnight to get over Ireland but he’s back to life now and he’s got three weeks, so it’s possible.”
The 10-year-old is a six-time winner at the Home of Jumps Racing and ran a cracker in fifth in last year’s Gold Cup, jumping superbly for most of the trip.
He could continue Britain’s solid run in the first handicap race of the week in Gloucestershire, with the home nation having taken the last 14 renewals.
