Three-time Grade 1 winner Frodon will not take part in a race at the Cheltenham Festival, with the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown under consideration for the popular chaser.
The winner of the Champion Chase at Down Royal in October, when he beat subsequent Savills winner Galvin and the 2021 Gold Cup hero Minella Indo, Frodon could return to Ireland for the Irish Gold Cup on 6th February.
Vogt open up on Frodon call
His owner Paul Vogt explained: "I think we decided between us that he's not going to win a Gold Cup. Paul would spend a month getting him ready for it and then the horse would have a month recovering from it afterwards, so I think Paul prefers the Dublin Racing Festival.
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"The plans are fluid, but they don't include the Gold Cup. I think Allaho is going to run in the Ryanair and I'm not sure we're going to beat him. I think the Ryanair is slightly too short and the Gold Cup is slightly too long.
"I think Sandown would be on the agenda for April as we like that Oaksey Chase on the last day of the season, but we'll take one thing at a time and Leopardstown in early February is probably next."
No Kempton prize for Frodon
Frodon was last seen finishing fourth behind Tornado Flyer when bidding to retain his King George crown at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Possible rivals include last year's winner and third Kemboy and Delta Work, as well as last-gasp Savills hero Galvin.
The last English-trained winner of the Irish Gold Cup was Neptune Collonges - also trained by Nicholls - in 2009.
