Trainer Paul Nicholls claims Frodon’s King George odds are an ‘insult’ to a champion

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls says Frodon’s Ladbrokes King George VI Chase odds of 5-1 are an ‘insult’ and evidence that the 2020 winner continues to be underestimated.

Bryony Frost’s mount is one of 10 entries for the £250,000 chase run at Kempton on Boxing Day.

But, despite the fact the nine-year-old won by over two lengths last year and also landed the Champion Chase at Down Royal in October, he is one of three co-third favourites — the others are Asterion Collonges and Chantry House — with Coral. 

Ahead of that trio are the 5-2 joint-favourites: Henry De Bromhead’s 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, who finished five lengths behind Frodon at Down Royal, and Nicholls-trained stablemate and dual winner Clan Des Obeaux, who was third last year.

Nicholls, who has won the King George a remarkable record 12 times, said: ‘I think Frodon’s odds are an insult to him. He is last year’s winner and he beat the Gold Cup winner at Down Royal.

‘Kempton is a track which suits him. He is the best-value horse in the race betting-wise. Frodon is completely underestimated, he always is.

‘Kempton will be a lot different for Minella Indo than it is winning a Gold Cup around Cheltenham. They are two totally different courses. For me he will be best at Cheltenham because he is a good strong stayer.

‘Clan Des Obeaux has won the race twice and Frodon once. I think they are the two to beat.

‘I wouldn’t be saying that if it was Cheltenham but it’s Kempton, the King George and a race that suits those two horses.’

Nicholls’ third runner is Saint Calvados, who was fourth last year.