Frodon rerouted to Wincanton as soft ground scuppers Down Royal repeat bid

Three-time Grade 1 winner Frodon will not defend his Ladbrokes Champion Chase crown at Down Royal this weekend and will instead head to Wincanton after soft ground in Northern Ireland forced connections to change their plans.

The ten-year-old was last seen finishing midfield in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and will make his reappearance off a mark of 158 in Saturday's 61st Badger Beer Handicap Chase (1.50).

Trainer Paul Nicholls expressed doubts on Monday over ground conditions at Down Royal but kept the ten-year-old entered at Wincanton as "back-up".

However, continued rain in the forecast has ruled out a return bid to Down Royal, with Nicholls eager to avoid similar circumstances to Frodon's disappointing run on yielding ground at Leopardstown in February.

"The ground is soft there at the moment and there's more rain coming," Nicholls said. "It's a very stormy forecast and he's got to make the crossing as well, so we just decided this was the better option.

"He doesn't like soft ground, so it's pointless making the journey. We went on soft ground at Leopardstown and it didn't work out and the ground will be better at Wincanton."

Success in the first Grade 1 chase of the season was the ten-year-old's sole victory last term, where he battled to success over 2021 Gold Cup hero Minella Indo and Galvin, who heads the betting for this year's contest.

Frodon will miss a rematch with Galvin (right) at Down RoyalCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Frodon will carry top weight of 12st under Bryony Frost in the 3m1f handicap, in which he takes on stablemate and market leader Enrilo.

Nicholls added: "He's been given half a bit of a chance by the handicapper, having been dropped 6lb since his last run. Although he's still on a high mark, he's better off going to Wincanton on this ground."

Saturday's race will be Frodon's first at the Somerset track in six years, having landed his maiden Graded victory at the course as the sole finisher of three runners in the Rising Stars Novices' Chase (1.15), which also features on the card.

Nicholls will be hoping to claim another success in the Grade 2 contest with McFabulous, who will make his first start over fences, while he relies on recent Chepstow winner Knappers Hill in the Unibet Elite Hurdle (3.00).

Five remain in Down Royal feature

Just five horses remain in contention for the Ladbrokes Champion Chase following Tuesday's forfeit stage.

Galvin, runner-up to Frodon in the race 12 months ago, is the even-money favourite with the race sponsors to go one better on Saturday, with Irish Gold Cup-winning stablemate Conflated priced up at 9-4 to strike on his seasonal return.

Willie Mullins has not won the Grade 1 since its inaugural running in 1999 when striking with the brilliant Florida Pearl, but he looks set to be represented by four-time Grade 1 winner Kemboy, a 5-1 shot.

The field could be completed by Envoi Allen, a winner on this card last year, and the 2021 Drinmore Novice Chase winner Beacon Edge, who also holds an entry for the Eventsec Chase at the same meeting.

Fury Road, Lifetime Ambition and Vanillier also feature among the entries for that Grade 2 event for second-season chasers.

Down Royal's two-day Ladbrokes festival gets under way on Friday, with approximately 10mm to 12mm due to arrive prior to Saturday's feature.

Conditions on Tuesday were described as soft, soft to heavy in places on the hurdle course, with fresh ground on the inner track, while the chase course is less testing at soft, yielding to soft in places.

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