Paul Nicholls is hoping to execute another successful Irish raid when Frodon lines up in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
The English trainer has a terrific record when sending horses over the Irish Sea, and the Betfair ambassador has told how this race has long been the plan for Frodon.
Ten-year-old Frodon will take on a home challenge that includes last year's winner Kemboy, the reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo and another previous champion of this race in Delta Work.
But Nicholls is confident of a big run from his charge, who is just one of a number of fancied horses that the trainer has running on Saturday. Here are his thoughts on his runners:
Leopardstown
15:15 - Frodon
I’ve had this race in mind for him since the summer as he is not going to Cheltenham this time. Things didn’t work out in the King George at Kempton where he and the Gold Cup winner Minella Indo paid the price for taking each other on from the start. The testing going was also against him that day. Bryony Frost gets a great tune out of Frodon who beat Galvin and Minella Indo in the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Down Royal in October. He doesn’t have to lead and we will not be getting into a fight up front this time. Frodon should be suited by the big galloping track at Leopardstown and better ground. You can never rule him out and I’m looking for another big run.
Sandown
13:15 - Tamaroc du Mathan
He took to fences really well last season and chased home Shishkin at Kempton over Christmas in 2020. But he has always had issues with his breathing, was struggling before unseating at Ayr in the spring and has questions to answer after another below par effort on his return over two and a half miles at Aintree in October. We gave him a tie forward operation afterwards to help his wind and he seems to be in good form at home. We just want to get his confidence back at Sandown and I’m sure he will improve for the run.
13:15 - Dolos
He has been a smart chaser for us but has been disappointing this season and is struggling for form. He seems to have lost his way and has now been dropped to a mark of 143. He usually comes good in the spring and always runs well in this race having won it twice, and also finished a close second to Moonlighter a year ago. But he does need to improve a fair bit to have a chance this time.
14:20 - Pic D’Orhy
He is in great shape and jumped well at Ascot last time where he was very impressive. But despite loads of schooling at home he can still take a chance at his fences and fell late on at Newbury in November when in command. While he needs to respect his fences he has loads of ability, will enjoy the ground at Sandown and has a clear cut chance.
15:30 - Kapcorse
I withdrew him from the Skybet Chase at Doncaster last Saturday when the ground started to dry up. I was delighted with the way he won at Newbury in November on his first start for a year and although he has been raised 8lbs to a mark of 139 I feel he can again run very well.
15:30 - Real Steel
I was expecting a much better performance from him at Kempton over Christmas but pulled him out once the going turned very soft. Conditions should be more suitable for Real Steel at Sandown and the handicapper has given him a chance as he is now down to a mark of 145 having been as high as 166 fifteen months ago. The key to him is going right handed on good ground so I’m hopeful he can be in the shake up.
Musselburgh
12:57 - Friend or Foe
He won nicely at Uttoxeter in May but has been off with a little injury since finishing third at Warwick in September. He is fine now, ready to go again and two and a half miles on a flat track at Musselburgh should be just the ticket for him.
14:40 - Wild Max
He is back over hurdles for the time being as he didn’t seem to enjoy his debut over fences at Ludlow a month ago and was eventually pulled up by Harry Cobden. He has done well for his owners in the past and is another of ours who prefers the good ground he will get here. It also helps that Angus Cheleda can claim a handy 5lbs.
15:45 - Highland Hunter
He has developed into a proper staying chaser and followed up a determined victory at Sandown with an excellent run into second place behind Iwilldoit in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow. While Highland Hunter would prefer softer conditions at Musselburgh I’m pleased that they have been watering the course and are due plenty of rain on Saturday. He must have a good chance.
16:19 - Soldier of Love
He achieved plenty in the summer of 2020 after joining us and was second to Galvin in October that year before life got much tougher for him in handicaps. As he is not good enough to win off his current mark of 140 it makes sense to have a shot at Hunter chases and try to qualify him for the big one at Cheltenham in March.
Best chance: Pic D’Orhy 13:50 Sandown - He looked very good at Ascot and has strong claims in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Chase.
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