FRODO’S QUEST
Popular chaser to make it six wins at Cheltenham
FRODON can maintain Paul Nicholls’s red- hot streak by giving his rivals weight and a beating in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase ( 3.50) at Cheltenham today.
Th e e i g h t - y e a r - o l d a n d Bryony Frost stole the headlines across the sporting world when landing the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2019.
The pair managed one success from four attempts last season – in the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton Park in January – rounding of f the truncated campaign with a fourth to Min when tr yi ng t o defend hi s Ryanair Chase title.
The handicapper has shown some l eniency by dropping Frodon 4lb in the weights and, back at a venue where he has won five times over fences – and with his trainer firing on all cylinders – a bold comeback is on the cards.
He is unbeaten in two starts thi s season , and NEVILLE’S CROSS gets the vote to rack up the hat- trick in the Pertemps Netw ork Handicap Hurdl e ( 3.15).
The Tom Lacey five- year- old made a winning handicap hurdles debut at Uttoxeter last month, and then laughed at a 9lb rise – to a new BHA mark rk of 118 – with a 20- l ength supremacy at Hereford 11 days ago.
A f urther 12lb ascent makes life tougher, but it’s anyone’s guess when the son of Stowaway’s form will plateau.
Fath er and s on Gar y ( below) and Josh Moore combine with BOTOX HAS, w h o c a n b e a t f i v e o p p o n e n t s f o r t h e Masterson Holdings Hurdle ( 2.05).
The ex- French four- yearold had three starts for his new trainer l ast winter, scoring at Fontwell Park and Cheltenham either side of a defeat by Allmankind at the home of jump racing in November.
A 4lb pull in the weights will help the son of Dream Well’s bid for revenge.
The Best Odds At Matchbook book Novices’ Chase ( 2.40) is a good od opportunity for PILEON to make a successful debut over fences.
Philip Hobbs’s six- ix year year- old made great strides s over t i mb e r d u r i n g t h e 2019- 20 campaign – which he ended with h an agonising shorthead defeat in the Martin Pipe Condit i o n a l J o c k e y s ’ Handicap Hurdl e here in March – and a 5lb concession from m his three foes tilts the scales cales in Pileon’s favour.
The ability to handle hock- deep mud will be at a premium at
Newbury – and t hat points t o t h e c hanc e of EUCHEN GLEN in t h e G r o u p 3 Prav Pravha Stakes ( 4.10). Lane Laneqash heads the market for the Group 3 Molson Coors Beverage Company Stakes ( 3.35), but he is unproven under the conditions and preference is for NASTASE.
At Doncaster, after a near- miss in the same grade at Redcar three weeks ago, ZAMAANI holds the aces in the Listed vertem. co. uk Doncaster Stakes ( 1.45), while WRENTHORPE has plenty going for him in the Vertem Very Different Stockbrokers Handicap ( 2.20).