Irish Gold Cup: key quotes and analysis as Frodon, Kemboy and Minella Indo clash

Saturday: 3.15 Leopardstown
Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) | 3m½f, 5yo+ | ITV4/RTE1/RTV

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Paul Nicholls has trained enough legends to know what one looks like, and the fact he uses the word to describe Frodon tells you all you need to know about the fabulous front-runner who is chasing his 19th win.

The man who masterminded the success of Kauto Star and Denman has never been one to shirk a challenge and, not only is he taking on the dominant forces in jump racing right now, he is doing it in their own back garden and we are all the richer for it this weekend.

"I enjoy the challenge of taking on these good horses in Ireland. We've got horses who are suitable for the races we've entered them for," said Nicholls when asked why he is making the trip over with Frodon and Greaneteen.

Nicholls and Frodon have already stolen some prize-money and brought it back across the Irish Sea to Ditcheat. That arrived in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal when the tenacious son of Nickname refused to take no for an answer and battled back to beat Galvin. That horse is now vying for favouritism in the Cheltenham Gold Cup so the form looks strong.

A real blot on Frodon's copybook arrived in the King George at Kempton when he put up a pretty tame defence of his title. There were reasons for that, though, as he was hassled and harried for the lead throughout.

The real Frodon is a massive player here and Nicholls is looking forward to see how his latest Irish adventure is going to pan out.

Nicholls said: "What can you say about him? He's a legend of a horse. He showed himself to be as good as ever when winning at Down Royal first time out this season, and then things didn't go to plan at Kempton in the King George. We're looking forward to running him."

Minella Indo was 'shook' after Kempton but thriving now says De Bromhead

The Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, who is 9lb better than anything else according to the official ratings, has three above him in the betting and was available at 4-1 with some firms on Friday night. What's that about?

The reason for such generous odds is because he is now being pigeonholed as a Cheltenham specialist, a staying chaser who is unable to replicate his best form anywhere else. I suppose there are worse places to be a specialist.

Minella Indo flopped in the King George at Kempton and needed time to recover from his exertions over there, but Henry de Bromhead reports him to be back on song now and is expecting a bold showing.

Why David Jennings fancies a 'quirky but quality' chaser in the Irish Gold Cup (Members' Club)

De Bromhead said: "He was a bit shook when he came back off the lorry after the King George and wasn't himself, but he's actually back in great form now and I'm delighted with him. He's come right back to himself and I'm really happy with him anyway."

Robbie Power will partner Minella Indo for the first time in public, but he has been down to Knockeen to school him over a few fences and was thrilled with the feel he got.

Power said: "He's a great ride to pick up and I'm obviously delighted. I was down in Henry's last week to school him and he felt great. We just popped over four fences and went on a short canter. He seemed very fresh and well in himself. I couldn't have been happier with him anyway."

Paul Townend: Frodon might actually help Kemboy – I'd like the company

Paul Townend thinks Frodon might actually help his chances on Kemboy rather than hinder them, as he feels company at the head of affairs is exactly what last year's winner wants.

Kemboy adores Leopardstown and never saw another rival on the way to winning this race 12 months ago. A repeat of that puts him right in the mix here, and Townend is confident of a very bold showing.

Townend said: "I'm confident about our chances here but respectful of the opposition at the same time. Frodon brings an extra bit of spice to the race.

Speaking in his Ladbrokes blog, Ireland's champion jockey added: "This track seems to bring out the best in Kemboy. He wasn't beaten by far at Christmas and at this stage of his life, Frodon might help him.

"In years gone by, he'd have probably hindered him. If he had a bit of company at Christmas, it would have helped me in the early part of the race. It'll be interesting to see if I am right or completely wrong with that."

Willie Mullins believes Kemboy is his biggest chance of making it a record-extending 12th win in the Irish Gold Cup.

The champion trainer said: "I think this is an open renewal and he looks our best chance going into it having won the race last year. He loves this track and is in good shape coming here."

On his other representatives in the €250,000 contest, Mullins added: "Asterion Forlonge was running a really good race in the King George before making a mistake four out but then stayed on and looked like he was going to be second when falling at the last.

"His only Grade 1 success came here over hurdles, and he has every chance if he puts his best foot forward, but he does find a way of not doing that.

Asterion Forlonge: is he a maverick or simply misunderstood

"Janidil is working well at home. He could work his way into the top three all being well. He jumps well, has a bit of speed and while one wonders whether he truly gets three miles in a true-run race, we’ll find out here.

"Cilaos Emery has never been over this trip and disappointed on his last run over hurdles, but I think we have to put a line through that. If we do, and someone is looking for a big-price horse from an each-way perspective, I wouldn't put them off him."

Elliott hoping cheekpieces can bring former winner Delta Work back to life

The 2020 winner Delta Work is back to try to regain his crown and Gordon Elliott has put cheekpieces on in an attempt to reignite the flame that burned so brightly two seasons ago.

Elliott said: "Delta Work got jarred up last year and he wasn't right. I think he's improved from Leopardstown. We schooled him in cheekpieces the other day and Jack [Kennedy] was very happy with him. If he came back to anywhere close to his best form he would have a squeak."

On his other contender, Conflated, he added: "There are ifs about every single horse in the race so we said why not take our change with Conflated. I wasn't sure he would win a handicap off that sort of rating so this will tell us where we stand with him – whether he is a Grand National horse or whether we will have to bring him back into a handicap at Cheltenham, or whether he good enough to be contesting Grade 1s."

Read all of Saturday's previews:

Asterion Forlonge: is he a maverick or simply misunderstood

Why David Jennings fancies a 'quirky but quality' chaser in the Irish Gold Cup (Members' Club)

Richard Forristal: Sit tight and enjoy the ride - international rivalry to the fore on epic day (Members' Club)

Cheltenham clues courtesy of L'Homme Presse, Ahoy Senor and Musselburgh trials (Members' Club)

1.05 Leopardstown: Hollow Games has most to fear from fast-improving stablemate Minella Crooner

1.35 Leopardstown: Fil Dor bids to cement Triumph hopes but Vauban 'the one to beat', says Elliott

2.10 Leopardstown: Blue Lord bids to fill void left by Ferny Hollow for Mullins in Irish Arkle

2.20 Sandown: L'Homme Presse and Pic D'Orhy set for Sandown showdown in Scilly Isles

2.30 Wetherby: Lucinda Russell looks for 'confidence booster' to put Ahoy Senor back on track

3.30 Sandown: Could course specialists prove the key to a race with a rich history

3.45 Musselburgh: Questions over ground and jumping - who can come up with the winning answer?

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