Frodon jumped straight and true to see off the challenge of Gold Present and win the BetBright Pendil Novices' Chase at Kempton Park.
With Charmix seemingly all at sea on the right-handed track from some way out, the race was left as a duel from the third-last fence onwards.
Jerry McGrath seemed to be travelling nicely on 13/2 chance Gold Present and as the pair turned for home neck and neck, it was far from obvious which of the pair would prevail.
However, Gold Present started to wander once coming under pressure, and hanging left and then right across the track, handed the initiative to Frodon.
Fluent fencing is Frodon's hallmark and the 8/11 favourite produced a typically-solid leap at the last to score by two lengths.
"He got into a good rhythm and I hoped if I could keep a little bit up my sleeve, I could just about hold on," said winning rider Sam Twiston-Davies.
"He's only five, but he's very mature and easy to ride - different tracks and trips seem to come alike to him.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we swerve Cheltenham with him. There are plenty of other options with a horse like him and a lot to look forward to in the future."
Nicholls added: "He just loves it and is full of enthusiasm. He has been a great horse and this has been a good race for us. We definitely won't put him away for sure.
"I hoped it was not too quick after Musselburgh, but he just loves it. He is not very big, but he is genuine.
"I'm not convinced he wants to run at Cheltenham with 20 runners around him. We might try and place him in these type of races and dodge Cheltenham. He could go to Aintree or Ayr.
"There is a race at Fairyhouse which is a Grade One worth a lot of money and we might stick him in that. There is no pressure to go to Cheltenham at all."
