Paul Nicholls hailed Frodon as a “fantastic horse” and a “wonderful servant” after announcing the retirement of his stable stalwart following his fourth outing in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

The hugely popular 11-year-old memorably landed the Boxing Day highlight in 2020 under his regular partner Bryony Frost, one of 19 victories in a 52-race career.

Frost steered Frodon to the majority of his big-race triumphs, with the 2019 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and the 2021 Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal also featuring on his CV.

Having given a bold sight in front for a long way in his latest bid for King George glory, the veteran weakened to come home last of five finishers on Tuesday and Nicholls feels the time has come to give his charge the retirement he so richly deserves.

“Frodon ran a good, solid race again, he just hasn’t got the legs, so I’d like to announce this morning that we’ve taken the decision to retire him,” he said in his Betfair ‘Ditcheat Diary’.

“We’re not going to ask him to run again. He’s been a fantastic horse winning King Georges, Ryanairs and Festival handicaps, you could go on and on.”

The champion trainer confirmed Frodon will spend his retirement with Frost, alongside a former stablemate in Black Corton.

He added: “He’s been a wonderful servant since he was a three-year-old and he’s going to have a wonderful home along with Black Corton with Bryony down on Exmoor.

“What a wonderful horse he’s been – I wouldn’t mind a few more like him. He’s finishing in one piece and Bryony is going to give him a home for life.”