raced keenly, tracked leader, led 7th, narrowly headed 4 out, in front again next, clear before the last, driven out
raced wide, took keen hold tracking leading pair, tracked winner 10th, led narrowly 4 out until next, soon ridden, pressed winner 2 out, wandered left under pressure between last two, no extra when hung badly left run-in
made most until 7th, chased winner until 10th, hit 12th, outpaced and struggling in 3rd when went left next, (4 out) went left final 3
held up in 4th place, not fluent 11th, outpaced and left behind next, tailed off when went left 3 out, fell next
Frodon was tiring when coming to grief in the Kauto Star here on Boxing Day but jumped from fence to fence when reverting to this sort of trip at Musselburgh and recorded a fifth win of the campaign. Already successful in a Grade 3 handicap, he has the JLT Novices’ Chase as his target next month but may not have his own way here, despite the small field. CHARMIX was probably a better horse over hurdles and his chase career had been progressing nicely before a blunder at Exeter got rid of Noel Fehily. He looked to have the measure of a subsequent winner, who was receiving 5lb, that day and is getting weight here from the Nichols’ five-year-old. Gold Present was well beaten in a handicap here last time and has plenty to find, as does the ex-Irish Zigger Zagger.
Frodon (FR) 4-9fav (11-5) Made all, jumped well, hard driven 2 out, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f (3) gd in Feb beating Holly Bush Henry (10-12) by 9l, 4 ran.
Gold Present (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Took keen hold, jumped left, tracked leader until led 2nd, jumped left next, stumbled badly and headed soon after 7th, mostly chased leader after, led again 10th, headed and weakened well before 3 out, 5th of 7, 32l behind Poker School (10-7) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Charmix (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Led, about 4 engths ahead and travelling well when mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Exeter 2m 3f (3) sft in Feb.
Zigger Zagger (IRE) 22-1 (11-11) Led, not fluent 4th, mistake and headed 7th, chased leader until mistake 9th, chased leaders, weakening when blundered 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
