Nicholls hoping Gold run is made to measure for Frodon

Paul Nicholls expects the demands of Leopardstown to bring out the best in Frodon as he bids to become the first British-trained horse in over a decade to land the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup.

Much has been made of Ireland's stranglehold on the National Hunt game at present, but Nicholls has never been one to shirk a challenge.

That buccaneering spirit has paid off twice in the past 12 months, with Clan De Obeaux at Punchestown and Frodon at Down Royal, and his eyes are fully fixed on another major Irish prize this weekend.

Nicholls said: "I think Leopardstown will suit Frodon well - that's why we're going.

"I've always felt this track would suit. The ground is never too bad and ground is quite important.

"This was an obvious race to go for and I was keen to have a crack at it."

Nicholls, who steered Playschool to victory in the 1988 Irish Gold Cup, also saddled the last successful British raider in Neptune Collonges in 1999.

Frodon heads to Dublin on a retrieval mission after fading into fourth when defending his crown in the King George, but Nicholls sees him as an ideal candidate for Saturday's €250,000 showpiece.

"Things didn't work out in the King George where he and Minella Indo paid the price for taking each other on. The testing going was also against him that day," the champion trainer told Betfair.

"Bryony Frost gets a great tune out of Frodon. He doesn't have to lead and we will not be getting into a fight up front this time. He should be suited by the big galloping track and better ground.

"You can never rule him out and I'm looking for another big run."

Minella Indo will also line up with a point to prove, having been pulled up following his early pace battle with Frodon at Kempton.

Henry de Bromhead has called upon the