In-form Nicholls undeterred by 'impossible task' of Frodon taking on A Plus Tard

Paul Nicholls admitted beating A Plus Tard in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase (3.00) at Haydock on Saturday looks like "an impossible task" for Frodon but such is the yard's form he is tempted to have a go.

The 13-time champion trainer has operated at a 40 per cent strike-rate in the last 14 days, with 19 winners from 47 runners.

Frodon contributed to that tally when defying top weight to land the Badger Beers Handicap Chase this month and Nicholls believes that despite his exertions at Wincanton, the popular ten-year-old is "mad fresh" and could line up in the £200,000 Betfair Chase this weekend.

"We're going to decide on Thursday morning, but I'm tempted to run," said Nicholls. "He was mad fresh on Monday and Bryony [Frost] said he feels good. So long as the ground doesn't go heavy, I'd say he's fit and well and will probably take his chance. I've got to discuss it with Mr Vogt [owner], but I'd say there's a fair chance he'll run."

Bryony Frost: celebrates after scoring aboard Frodon at WincantonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

There are not too many options for horses at Frodon's level and it was a surprise to see him race off a lofty mark of 158 at Wincanton. He has since risen 6lb and, although that leaves him with 16lb to find with the 2-5 favourite A Plus Tard, it makes him the joint-second highest-rated runner in the race alongside Gold Cup third Protektorat.

Frodon is the 20-1 outsider of the field and while Nicholls does not believe he will topple last season's Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard, the £42,400 offered for second and £21,220 for third make the near 200-mile journey up the M5 and M6 from Ditcheat worthwhile in his eyes.

"His run at Wincanton was great, but that was a totally different race," said Nicholls. "He's taking on the Gold Cup winner, who looks impossible to beat, and a good horse in Protektorat, but who knows in racing. If he runs well, he might pick up good prize-money – he won't do that standing in his box. If you're not in it, you can't win it."

Nicholls, the leading trainer in the brief history of the Betfair Chase with six wins from just 17 runnings, added: "If we don't run him, we're waiting for Kempton on Boxing Day. He's a 16-1 shot for the King George and he can still go there if he runs on Saturday. He's fit, well and healthy, so why not? I'd say at the moment we're leaning towards running him because he appears to be very well."

Betfair Chase (3.00 Haydock, Saturday)

Betfair: 2-5 A Plus Tard, 10-3 Protektorat, 8 Bristol De Mai, 12 Eldorado Allen, 20 Frodon

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