CHELTENHAM SHORTS

FRODON is ‘almost certain’ to run in the Ryanair Chase in preference to the Gold Cup, according to trainer Paul Nicholls. The seven-year-old has a terrific record at Cheltenham, winning four times at Prestbury Park, including the Cotswold Chase — a renowned Gold Cup trial — in January. Nicholls said: ‘He’s almost certain to run in the Ryanair, it looks like some of the big names have dropped out, it will be interesting to see what does run. We’ll confirm him tomorrow for the Gold Cup, but he’s almost certain to run in the Ryanair.’

VINNDICATION could yet run at the Festival after trainer Kim Bailey revealed a change of heart yesterday. Bailey had ruled his stable star out last Monday after an unsatisfactory gallop at Newbury. But yesterday he said: ‘He schooled this morning and schooled very well and worked very well yesterday. I was really pleased with him. I could change my mind again between now and next week, but as things stand the intention is to run him in the JLT.’

NICKY HENDERSON has met with another setback in his efforts to get leading RSA Chase hope Santini to the Festival. Having been lame last Sunday, Santini was treated and looked to be on the road to recovery, but Henderson said yesterday that the issue had ‘reared its ugly head again’. However, he added: ‘The team are doing their very best and I am still hopeful that we will get there in time.’