Nicholls and Frost hail ‘legend’ Frodon after brilliant Badger Beers triumph

Frodon on his way to victory in the Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton

Alan Crowhurst

Saturday: Badger Beer Handicap Chase, Wincanton

Frodon stayed close to home rather than make a return trip to Down Royal and gave his local crowd a treat when galloping his rivals into submission in the 61st running of the West Country feature.

The well-backed 9-4 favourite made most of the running to give Bryony Frost a third win in the contest at the expense of Lord Accord, who blew his chances with a mistake at the final fence, and Cap Du Nord.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls notched up an 11th win in the Badger Beer, which was delayed for five minutes due to concerns about slippery ground.

Bryony Frost returns to the winner’s enclosure

Alan Crowhurst

After sharing the lead with El Presente in the early stages, Frodon took up the running outright heading onto the final circuit, shortly after which his fancied stablemate Enrilo exited when well placed in third.

The topweight was not for stopping after that and found a bit more when Lord Accord threw down a challenge in the home straight to score by two and a half lengths.

Bryony Frost punched the air as she went past the stands and returned to rapturous applause. She told ITV Racing: “I can’t wait for the local crowd to take the roof off here. Frodon is as he always is season in season out. You wrap yourself in his demeanour, he’s just so hungry to win.”

“As usual, our tactics were transparent and we were there to be shot at. I know it was greasy out there and it took all of his intelligence to help me and that was probably one of his trickiest rounds. Paul said to me this morning to put them to the sword and he’s done just that.”

Nicholls said: “That was an amazing performance. We were a bit negative about him at home as he galloped with Greanteteen the other day and looked a bit ordinary but on reflection that was a good bit of work. He’s just a legend of a horse. I’m glad we came here today as we couldn’t go to Ireland because of the ground.”

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FIRST PUBLISHED 2:24PM, NOV 5 2022