Frodon Backed To Upset Gold Cup Winner At Down Royal

Frodon is coming in for significant support to start the season by landing Grade 1 honours when lining up against four rivals in Saturday’s Champion Chase at Down Royal.

The King George winner finished fifth in the Gold Cup last season and renews rivalries with winner Minella Indo, who is set for his first appearance since landing Cheltenham’s blue riband in March.

With Rachael Blackmore back on board, Minella Indo is the even money favourite to pick up where he left off at the Festival…

But we now make Frodon a 5/2 second favourite from 9/2 earlier this week to score a victory which would give trainer Paul Nicholls a record fifth win in the race.

Nicholls also saddles the favourite in the big race at Wetherby on Saturday as Cyrname bids to get his career back on track after pulling up on his final two outings last season in the King George at Christmas and the Ascot Chase in February.

The nine-year-old was eased slightly in the betting to 5/4 from 11/10 on Friday to get back to winning ways by claiming a second successive Charlie Hall Chase, while strong each-way support has seen Clondaw Castle clipped into 9/2 from 11/2.

Fussil Raffles has also moved into 5/1 from 13/2 for trainer Nicky Henderson, joining Dan Skelton’s Shan Blue as joint-third favourite.

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