The selection put up his best performance on the equivalent card last year and this would be his fourth course success
It will be a surprise if Saturday’s Cotswold Chase has much of a bearing on the Cheltenham Gold Cup but at least Frodon (2.25) can pay for his entry into the March race by beating his five rivals here. It was on this card a year ago that he put up the best performance of his career, beating Shantou Flyer by a wide margin in a handicap, and this would be his fourth course success.
He has yet to win at three miles but ran a couple of good races at that distance in 2017, when he was only five, and has not been asked since. All of these rivals would meet him on better terms if this were a handicap, though Valtor and Elegant Escape still have scope for progress.
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Cheltenham 12.40 Adjali 1.15 Kildisart 1.50 Activial 2.25 Frodon 3.00 Brewin’upastorm 3.35 Midnight Shadow 4.10 Flash The Steel (nap)
Doncaster 12.55 Present From Dubai 1.30 Dynamite Dollars 2.05 Bailarico 2.40 Lady Buttons 3.15 Willie Boy (nb) 3.50 Lord County 4.25 Nonesuch
Uttoxeter 1.05 Boutan 1.40 Captain Woodie 2.15 Bandon Roc 2.50 Burrows Park 3.25 Molly Carew 4.00 Keep Moving
Lingfield 1.20 Lincoln Spirit 1.55 Haitian Spirit 2.30 Pushkin Museum 3.05 Fearsome 3.40 Scofflaw 4.15 Lethal Lover
Chelmsford 4.40 Titan Goddess 5.15 Classic Charm 5.45 Vrai 6.15 Stamford Raffles 6.45 Cappananty Con 7.15 Global Art 7.45 Plait
8.15 Imperial Act