FRODON and regular partner, Bryony Frost, have yet to prove this trip is within the popular gelding's range, but he's very well treated by race conditions and is hard to oppose. The sharp track should aid his cause too and Frost will hope to get a free hand and dictate matters. Cape Gentleman is a danger on the best of his form but the Irish raider was beaten a long way on his latest start and is best watched. A likelier danger is Quick Wave. He receives 11lb from Frodon and was backed into favouritism for the Welsh National in which he pulled up after a series of unfortunate events. He'll stay this trip and Venetia Williams is obviously happy to send him back to work pretty quickly. The Wolf doesn't look good enough, so Ramses De Teillee, running well this season, is seen as next best.
Frodon (FR) 18-1 (11-10) Kept wide early, tracked leader, led 2nd, headed before 3 out, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened into 4th 2 out, left modest 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 18 1/4l behind Bravemansgame (11-10) at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Cape Gentleman (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, hampered by loose horse after 7th, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened, 16th of 27, dist behind Maxxum (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Ramses De Teillee (FR) 6-1jfav (12-0) Prominent, led before 2nd, headed before 12th, chased winner, well held 3 out, stayed on for 2nd, 2nd of 18, 2 1/4l behind Wishing And Hoping (11-10) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
The Wolf (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Not always fluent in rear, slow 8th, well beaten 4 out, stayed on but no impression from 2 out, 8th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Rapper (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Quick Wave (FR) 4-1fav (11-9) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 11th, slightly hampered by faller 14th, lost touch 5 out and pulled up, at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
