Paul Nicholls was left delighted as Frodon defied top weight to win the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
The eight-year-old last raced in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing fourth on March 12 as Min secured the victory.
After a 226-day break, Frodon looked back to his best and jumped his rivals into submission to secure a sixth course victory.
Frodon had to concede a stone to all of his rivals, but jockey Bryony Frost guided him home ahead of West Approach.
When asked about his charge, Nicholls claimed it could have been a career-best display.
He told reporters: “That was an amazing performance. I thought he would probably need the run a little bit. I was going to go for the Charlie Hall next weekend, but changed plans a fraction as Cyrname is going there and he loves Cheltenham – but I thought he had it all to do with that weight.
“That’s nearly a career-best. Off 164 in a handicap, giving weight to those horses over that trip.
“In last season’s Ryanair he was totally outpaced, but that trip (three miles and a furlong) suits him better now. You can sit and save a bit out in front, and you could see that’s what she was doing.
“You have to be very fit to do that first time up with that sort of weight, and I was surprised how fit he was.”
