No Frodon as entries made for Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Chase and Ryanair

Cheltenham Gold Cup ante-post favourite A Plus Tard and last season's champion Minella Indo could be set for another titanic tussle in this year's running after they were revealed among 30 entries for the Festival showpiece (3.30) on March 18 – but last year's King George hero and 2019 Ryanair winner Frodon was a notable absentee from the lists.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Frodon, who was last seen finishing fourth when defending his Kempton crown on Boxing Day, will not make a fifth consecutive appearance at the meeting and a sixth overall, having also finished a distant fifth behind the Henry de Bromhead-trained pair in the Gold Cup.

A Plus Tard and Minella Indo formed a famous one-two for the trainer in the race last season but could face a stern challenge to replicate that this year, with shock King George VI Chase winner Tornado Flyer and two-time hero Al Boum Photo also among the entries.

Star novice chaser Ahoy Senor has been given the intriguing option of stepping into open company and emulate Coneygree, who was the last novice to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015, while A Plus Tard's Savills Chase conqueror Galvin remains on course for the race.

Britain faces a difficult challenge against the Irish-trained entries, but their team could be headed by the Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat, who was a dominant winner of the Many Clouds Chase last time, while the Nicky Henderson-trained and JP McManus-owned pair Chantry House and Champ – winner of the Long Walk Hurdle last time – are among the entries.

How the market looks:

Galvin has come in for significant support since landing the Leopardstown feature by a short head under Davy Russell, with Coral cutting him to 5-1 second favourite (from 8).

A Plus Tard remains the general 3-1 favourite to go one better than last year ahead of Galvin, with Minella Indo an 8-1 chance ahead of Al Boum Photo, who is a general 10-1.

Cheltenham Gold Cup betting
Coral: 3 A Plus Tard, 5 Galvin, 8 Minella Indo, 10 Al Boum Photo, 12 Tornado Flyer, 14 Protektorat, 16 bar

Cheltenham Gold Cup: all entries and racecard

Shishkin and Energumene on course for Champion clash

A monster clash between Shishkin and Energumene could be on as they headlined 22 entries for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30, March 16). That contest also features last year's winner Put The Kettle On, who like Energumene has been given the option of contesting the Ryanair Chase a day later.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin made the perfect return when an easy winner of the Desert Orchid Chase last month, and could face a dress-rehearsal against his Champion Chase foe in this month's Clarence House Chase.

How the market looks:

Nube Negra, Chacun Pour Soi and Tingle Creek winner Greaneteen are among those seeking to exact revenge from last season's defeats, with Shishkin heading the market with the race sponsors at 10-11 ahead of Energumene at 9-4.

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
Sponsors odds: 10-11 Shishkin, 9-4 Energumene, 10 Chacun Pour Soi, Greaneteen, 11 Allaho, 14 bar

Champion Chase: all entries and racecard

Allaho has options but Ryanair the plan

Defending champion Allaho was among 36 entered for the Ryanair (2.50, March 17) and he also featured in the entry lists for the Gold Cup and Champion Chase, but his owners Cheveley Park's managing director Chris Richardson said earlier in the week the Ryanair is "the plan".

Last year's second Fakir D'Oudairies also featured while Willie Mullins entered 11 overall, a battalion that includes Tornado Flyer, Asterion Forlonge and Chacun Pour Soi.

Shan Blue could be an interesting contender for Dan Skelton, having been pinpointed for a spring campaign after crashing out when well-clear in the Charlie Hall Chase in October.

How the market looks:

Allaho is well clear at the top of the market at a general 7-4, with Fakir D'Oudairies next best at 10-1 and Asterion Forlonge a 12-1 chance.

Ryanair Chase betting
Betfair: 7-4 Allaho, 10 Fakir D'Oudairies, 12 Asterion Forlonge, Energumene, 14 bar

Ryanair Chase: all entries and racecard

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