Tag Archive for: Shishkin

Shishkin ‘100 per cent’ after Ascot – with Ryanair Chase still favoured next

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Nicky Henderson has all but ruled Shishkin out of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, remaining in favour of the shorter trip of the Ryanair Chase for his rejuvenated superstar.

The Seven Barrows trainer was an emotional onlooker as any doubts about the nine-year-old’s return to prominence were dispelled with a tremendous display in the Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday, where he was trying two miles and five furlongs for the first time under rules.

The Joe Donnelly-owned gelding downed Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at the same track last term but subsequently disappointed in both the Champion Chase and this season’s Tingle Creek.

However, a couple of physical problems had come to light, being diagnosed with a rare bone condition in the wake of the Champion Chase and then a “flipped palate” delaying his move up in distance after the Tingle Creek.

Shishkin in full flight
Shishkin in full flight (Steven Paston/PA)

Yet, just as he had done with Sprinter Sacre six years ago, Henderson brought Shishkin back from the brink and the sheer joy the handler exuded after his 16-length defeat of Pic D’Orhy said it all.

Though Shishkin was cut to as short as 8-1 for the Gold Cup by Paddy Power, Henderson feels the extended two-and-a-half-mile Ryanair Chase on March 16, for which he is 11-10 favourite with the same firm, is the only option.

“I can’t think we’re not going to go for the Ryanair, but there is no way of finding out,” said Henderson.

“The way I would see it, in the perfect, perfect world – and with horses it is not easy to go very far, about 24 hours is about as far as you dare look ahead – but in the perfect world, you’d go Ryanair, then three miles at Aintree.

“Then that will tell us what to do next year. It would tell you whether to go to the Betfair Chase or King George VI Chase, or stay at two and a half (miles). At two and a half, you are a bit limited.”

Though last season’s runaway Ryanair Chase winner Allaho will miss the race with an abdominal bleed, Henderson said his absence has not swayed any decision to bypass the Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson was all smiles with jockey Nico de Boinville
Nicky Henderson was all smiles with jockey Nico de Boinville (Steven Paston/PA)

He added: “The Ryanair is still a very high-class race and it is not to be sniffed at.

“He’s certainly not going to come back to two (miles), so I can’t believe we need to go to three and a quarter.

“Going up in trip trip made an enormous difference. It was as simple as that. Maybe he would stay three and a quarter, but you have got the Ryanair available to you.

“One is aware Allaho is not there, but we won’t go there because of that. I would have thought we would still have gone that route even if he was there. It is the obvious thing to do.

“We’re delighted with him and he’s absolutely 100 per cent this morning.”

A proud Nicky Henderson with Shishkin
A proud Nicky Henderson with Shishkin (Steven Paston/PA)

Meanwhile, Henderson was left ruing the ground conditions at Newbury on Sunday, withdrawing Quick Draw and Boom Boom.

Both were favourites for their respective races, with the former leaving Dalamol to walk over in the opening Bloomfields Horseboxes Presents The Raceline Professional Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Henderson added: “We are struggling a bit today, I must admit. This ground at Newbury has got so firm, we can’t run.

“We took one out in the first race, which left a walkover. I can’t risk it. I hate doing it, because it is no good for anybody, but the horse comes first.”

Shishkin renaissance delights master trainer Henderson

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Wise old heads used to whisper “they never come back” when a horse had seemingly lost its way, but Nicky Henderson is waging a one-man mission to consign the phrase to the history books as Shishkin became the latest Seven Barrows inmate to return to the top.

Henderson’s exploits with Sprinter Sacre are legendary. The pre-eminent two-mile chaser of his era lost his way through injuries and ailments only to come back and win a second Champion Chase.

Things had not fallen off quite so much for Shishkin, we must not forget just over a year ago he beat Energumene in the Clarence House Chase in a battle hailed as the race of the season.

However, he was pulled up early in the Champion Chase, it later transpired he was suffering with a rare bone condition, and on his return in the Tingle Creek he was a one-paced third, after which he had a wind operation.

Henderson was as confident as he could be that the ability still remained, but there is only one place to find out and that is on the racecourse.

Stepped up to two miles and five furlongs, against a couple of specialists at that trip in Pic D’Orhy and Fakir D’Oudairies, he was imperious, travelling smoothly throughout and bounding 16 lengths clear.

He is now as short as 11-10 favourite for the Ryanair next month.

“I think we’ve got the old Shishkin back, thank goodness,” said Henderson.

“It’s been a big effort from a lot of people and the Donnellys have been amazing. They were supposed to be here, Joe had a plane booked but for the wrong day, apparently. But I’ve just spoken to him in Switzerland and he’s delighted.

“He has always just said ‘do what you think is the right thing’ so we’ve changed a lot of things, but today was the crossroads to see if he still had a future at the top table.”

Shishkin was spring-heeled at the last
Shishkin was spring-heeled at the last (Steven Paston/PA)

Henderson went on: “He was a hero but we’ve seen it before where they fall off the top, but everybody has done their bit. The vets have been brilliant. He had his bone problem, then a wind issue but the most important thing was upping the trip.

“That was the one thing in my own mind I was confident about. In the Clarence House last year he was flat out the whole way and was beaten two out, he won that day because he stayed. After the Tingle Creek there was only one thing to do.

“By slowing the pace, he can then race on the bridle. He’s not a brilliant work horse so he’s hard to assess that way, I think he’ll improve for the run because he’s had a good blow – it’s been a while since the Tingle Creek.

“This was always the race, we’ve got it done and I can’t tell you what I relief it is. We’re very lucky to get these good horses and it’s very sad if they fall off the table. When it does go right, if you get them back, it is extra special.”

Of the chances of Shishkin taking up his Gold Cup entry, Henderson added: “I would have thought it would be pretty stupid, but I’ve done some stupid things in my time so far!

“He’s not in the Champion Chase and he’s not coming into it, at least I can say he’s in the other two. I would have thought the most likely has got to be the Ryanair, it’s the sensible one.”

Nico De Boinville, who also played his part in Sprinter Sacre’s renaissance, said: “He felt a different horse. He was doing everything right at home and that wind op has definitely helped a whole load.

Nicky Henderson (left) with jockey Nico de Boinville
Nicky Henderson (left) with jockey Nico de Boinville (Steven Paston/PA)

“I said to the guv’nor we’d know our fate after the first two and so it proved.

“When you are dealing with horses like that, you have to believe in them. I felt from the way he was at home that he retained his ability, it was just a question of finding his way back and the guv’nor is a master at doing that with these horses.

“I think the Ryanair is the right race. Where else do you go after a race like that? You certainly don’t drop him back to two miles and you’d be very brave to step him up to three-two in the Gold Cup, so I think two-five in the Ryanair is about right for him.

“It was just hands and heels and he’ll come on for that run, I’ve no doubt.”

Super Shishkin spreadeagles Ascot Chase field

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Shishkin proved himself to be back to his brilliant best with a comprehensive victory in the Betfair Ascot Chase.

Nicky Henderson’s gelding was at one point an unstoppable force in the two-mile division, but he was pulled up when the favourite in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last season.

A comeback run in the Tingle Creek this season also ended in defeat, but stepped up in trip under Nico de Boinville, he showed all of his ability, winning at a canter to cross the line 16 lengths to the good at odds of 2-1.

With last year’s winner Fakir D’oudairies beaten some way out, it was a duel between Shishkin and Pic D’Orhy turning into the straight.

However, the latter had no answer when Shishkin kicked up a gear, with the winner now 5-4 from 7-2 with Betfair for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson and Shishkin
Nicky Henderson and Shishkin (Steven Paston/PA)

“Today was everything. If he didn’t show today, we had to say ‘look, we were very lucky, we had a good horse but we haven’t got one anymore’, but today we can say we still have a very good horse,” Henderson said.

“Good horses are good horses, class will out and that’s what it did today. Bless him, he did that.

“The whole game was different, he was on the bridle the whole way. That’s what I wanted to see, instead of having to keep niggling, keep pressing, keep kicking. The first fence was going to tell us everything, second fence told us a lot and by the third, I was a happy man.”

The Ryanair looks the natural next step come the Cheltenham Festival, a race opened up by the withdrawal of Willie Mullins’ two-time winner Allaho.

That news broke during a media morning at Henderson’s yard, but did not influence plans for Shishkin that instead hinged on his Ascot performance.

Shishkin with connections after his triumph
Shishkin with connections after his triumph (Steven Paston/PA)

Henderson said: “Some of you were down with us on Monday morning and suddenly the news came through that Allaho was out, that didn’t change what we were going to do anyway.

“We were just going to take it from what we’ve learnt today. The only thing Nico said there is that we do not need the Champion Chase, because the pace of that is actually going to undo what we’ve just done.

“I think you’ve got to say that he’ll be odds on for the Ryanair, unless somebody tells me that there are so many bad horses in the Gold Cup that you’ve got to run him in it.”

Of the chances of Shishkin taking up his Gold Cup entry, Henderson added: “I would have thought it would be pretty stupid, but I’ve done some stupid things in my time so far!

“He’s not in the Champion Chase and he’s not coming into it, at least I can say he’s in the other two. I would have thought the most likely has got to be the Ryanair, it’s the sensible one.”

Shishkin returns to the parade ring
Shishkin returns to the parade ring (Steven Paston/PA)

De Boinville added: “He felt a different horse. He was doing everything right at home and that wind op has definitely helped a whole load.

“I said to the guv’nor we’d know our fate after the first two and so it proved.

“I think just going half a stride slower definitely helped him and he was able to jump and travel and latch on to the bridle, which he hasn’t been doing over two miles.

“I was mindful that he hasn’t run since the Tingle Creek and even then I don’t think he had a very nice time. The most important thing today was to get him jumping and travelling and get him enjoying himself.

“You want them to enjoy it rather than it be hard work all the time.”

Shishkin on his way to victory
Shishkin on his way to victory (Steven Paston/PA)

Pic D’Orhy kept on for second, with trainer Paul Nicholls was not disheartened considering Shishkin’s return to form.

“I just said to Johnny (De la Hey, owner) we’ve been beaten by a better horse, end of story,” he said.

“I think he’s probably run right up to his best, he’s beaten Millers Bank and Fakir D’oudairies but he’s not good enough to beat Shishkin.

“We’ll let him (Shishkin) go to the Ryanair, we’ll give that a miss and probably head to Aintree. We’d have probably done that anyway as the flat track suits him better. I’d imagine Shishkin will be hard to beat in the Ryanair.”

Fakir D’oudairies shoots for Ascot Chase double

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Fakir D’oudairies will bid to become the first back-to-back winner of the Betfair Ascot Chase since Riverside Theatre in 2011 and 2012 when he returns to Berkshire for Ascot’s feature on Saturday.

Joseph O’Brien’s eight-year-old saw off the persistent challenge of Two For Gold when triumphing 12 months ago and is sure to be popular once again in his quest for further Grade One success.

Four of his nine career victories have been at the highest level – and having chased home Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan before Christmas, he got back on the scoresheet in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles last month.

Whether he would have beaten final-fence faller Haut En Couleurs that day is open to question, but either way O’Brien is happy with his condition ahead of his title defence.

“He’s in good shape and he’s been prepared for the race. It looks like it’s going to be a very good race, which is great, and we’re looking forward to competing in it,” said the Piltown handler.

“I think he was still in mix (at Thurles). JJ (Slevin, jockey) said he was going to give them a run for their money and that’s all you can ask for.”

Chief among the JP McManus-owned gelding’s rivals is Shishkin, who has 10lb in hand on official ratings but has questions to answer after disappointing in his two most recent outings.

O’Brien added: “I suppose Shishkin is a superstar on his day, but I think you can make a strong case for three or four horses in the race and we’re one of them.

“We know Ascot will suit our horse better than Thurles, so hopefully we get a smooth trip and we’ll see what happens from there.”

Trainer Nicky Henderson and Shishkin at Seven Barrows earlier this week
Trainer Nicky Henderson and Shishkin at Seven Barrows earlier this week (David Davies/PA)

Having won his first seven races over fences at around two miles, Shishkin takes a step into the unknown over two miles and five furlongs under rules this weekend, having previously won over three miles in point-to-point company.

The nine-year-old was pulled up in last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase and looked ready for a rise in distance when a well-beaten third on his reappearance in the Tingle Creek at Sandown.

Although Nicky Henderson’s charge has won twice at the Cheltenham Festival, his finest hour arguably came at this track last year and his big-race rider Nico de Boinville is looking for signs of a resurgence from the son of Sholokhov, who has undergone wind surgery since his last run.

“I just want him to travel away. In the Tingle Creek I was flat out the whole way,” the jockey told talkSPORT2.

“It wasn’t until we brought him back and worked him up our gallop that he flipped his palate at the top of our gallops. He’s had his palate cauterized and hopefully that will have done the trick.

“Hopefully he should be able to travel away and enjoy his racing again. It was hard enough at Cheltenham when he ran with a rare bone condition. Mostly I just want him to enjoy racing again.

“The bone condition was like running a car with four flat tyres. I knew going to the first I was in trouble but I immediately put it down to the ground, but when you look back that didn’t make sense as he’d won on all sorts of ground so it wasn’t that.

“It’s a case of him learning to get over that bad experience and loving racing again.

“If he’s back to his best he should win, on paper, but he has to enjoy himself and get back into some sort of rhythm to make his and my life a bit easier.”

Henderson told Unibet: “This is obviously a very big day for him and we are stepping up in trip which is what I think he wants. Lots has already been said which doesn’t really need repeating over and over again so I’ll leave it to Shishkin to do the talking and see where we are at 3.45pm tomorrow!”

Pic D’Orhy winning the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon
Pic D’Orhy winning the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon (Tim Goode/PA)

Paul Nicholls can become the outright leading trainer in the history of the Ascot Chase if Pic D’Orhy continues his winning streak.

Unbeaten this season, the eight-year-old has won Grade Twos at both Huntingdon and Kempton and the champion trainer is hopeful he can continue on his upward curve.

“I think that was one of his best performances (at Kempton) because we weren’t convinced about the ground,” said the Ditcheat handler.

“He is a much better horse on good ground and I see Ascot’s now gone good, good to soft in places so I assume Nicky has been on the phone all week asking them to water! There’s plenty of water gone on, but everybody will be happy with that – good, good to soft in places.

“It’s ideal for him and we’re looking forward to the challenge. It’s probably the biggest race of his career, but he’s up for it.”

Kim Bailey saddled the runner-up in last year’s renewal and now looks to First Flow to go one better at a course where he has never finished outside of the first three.

He said: “It’s a tough, competitive race and we’re all wrong at the weights. We’re very limited in where we can go and there is only one other race for him at Sandown on the last day of the season.

“He handled goodish ground at Huntingdon and this will be much quicker than he ideally wants, but having said that, we need to run and we need to go.

“He has been round the course several times and every time he has gone there he has run well, so if he can finish in the first three I would be delighted.”

Millers Bank in action at Aintree
Millers Bank in action at Aintree (Steven Paston/PA)

Millers Bank was well held in the King George on Boxing Day, but trainer Alex Hales feels his Aintree Grade One winner could be overlooked dropping back in distance.

“I’m looking forward to him running,” said Hales. “We were slightly underwhelmed by his run in the King George and he came back and was a little quiet after it, but he seems in very good heart now.

“We know he’s proven over two and a half, so it looks the right thing to do. It’s a competitive race but he deserves to take his chance.

“Pic D’Orhy has beaten us twice but that has been on flat, sharper tracks and I’m hoping that Ascot over an extra furlong might see us in a different light.”

The field is rounded off by by Harriet Graham and Gary Rutherford’s popular northern raider Aye Right, who takes his chance at Grade One level.

“It was an idea we had to take him out of handicaps because he is nearly always carrying top weight up against progressive handicappers,” said Graham.

“There are some classy horses in it, but I have always thought he would enjoy running right-handed and Ryan Mania was very keen that we take him down there – he comes and rides out for us and is a very good judge.

“I know we are the outsider but the owners were also keen to take him down, so we thought we would have a go.”

Shishkin spearheads super six for Ascot Chase

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Shishkin will face five rivals as he steps up in trip for Saturday’s Betfair Ascot Chase.

Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old was unbeaten in his first seven starts over fences, winning up to two and a quarter miles, but he was pulled up in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and trailed home a distant third behind Edwardstone on his Tingle Creek return in December.

That performance has prompted Henderson to move up to two miles and five furlongs this weekend, with Shishkin a three-mile point-to-point winner in his younger days.

Fakir D’oudairies won the race last year
Fakir D’oudairies won the race last year (Tim Goode/PA)

Shishkin faces a stern test on his first start since undergoing wind surgery, with last year’s winner Fakir D’oudairies defending his title for Joseph O’Brien after returning to winning form in a Thurles Grade Two last time out.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls fields Pic D’Orhy, who has won each of his three starts this term, including Grade Twos at Huntingdon and Kempton.

Nicholls said of the gelding: “The big difference with him is he’s a big horse and he’s just matured at last. He’s twice the horse he was last season as a model, he’s well and strong and he keeps improving.

“He wasn’t really jumping that well, the first season he had a couple of falls so he was a novice for a second season.

“Last year at Newbury in the Ladbrokes meeting, he was going to absolutely bolt in in the Grade Two novice chase and he took a fairly heavy fall at the first in the straight.

Pic D’Orhy at Ascot last season
Pic D’Orhy at Ascot last season (Steven Paston/PA)

“I think that shook him a bit and woke him up, he’s been very careful and good after that.

“This season his jumping has been fantastic, he’s a Betfair Hurdle winner so he’s always had plenty of ability.

“He’s a little bit like Bravemansgame, massive horses that just take all this time to reach full maturity. He’s probably the finished article now and hopefully he can keep improving.”

Of the dangers to his runner, Nicholls, speaking on a call organised by Great British Racing, added: “Fakir D’oudairies is a good horse, he won the race last year.

“I think it’s quite an open race, Millers Bank – it wouldn’t surprise me if he ran a good, solid race. He was staying on strongly at Huntingdon and he likes that better ground, I think. It’s a good looking race.

Pic D’Orhy and Harry Cobden
Pic D’Orhy and Harry Cobden (Steven Paston/PA)

“If we’re going to compete in a Grade One in the Ryanair and then Aintree, we need to be right in the mix.

“He’s in form, with Shishkin there are questions about him. He hasn’t been in form, at Cheltenham he had a problem and he must have been disappointed with him in the Tingle Creek.

“They’d be hopeful of a good run, two and a half is going to suit them better than two nowadays, that’s what Nicky is thinking, and if he’s in form he’ll go well but he’s got questions to answer.

“I’ve got a feeling Pic D’Orhy will run very well, the ground is right for him, he’s in good shape. That’s what you want.

“He loves bowling along and if someone wants to go faster than him, it’s not a problem. You can take advantage if you jump well and you’re in the driving seat, they’ve got to come past you. I think it’s a really thrilling race, we’re looking forward to it.”

First Flow, winner of the race in 2021, represents Kim Bailey with Aye Right for Harriet Graham and Gary Rutherford, plus Alex Hales’ Millers Bank completing the line-up.

Donald McCain’s Minella Drama was the only horse not declared.

Shishkin ready to step up in Ascot Chase test

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Shishkin is poised to make his eagerly-awaited step up in trip at Ascot on Saturday, with the nine-year-old amongst the seven five-day confirmations for the Betfair Ascot Chase.

Since pulling up when sent off favourite for last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase, Nicky Henderson’s two-time Cheltenham Festival winner has only been seen once, when a well-beaten third in the Tingle Creek before Christmas.

That Sandown disappointment signalled a move up in distance and the son of Sholokhov now gets to test the waters over further, where his chief danger appears to be Joseph O’Brien’s defending champion Fakir D’oudairies.

Shishkin after defeat at Sandown
Shishkin after defeat at Sandown (PA)

A good showing at the weekend could pave the way for a tilt at the Ryanair Chase at Prestbury Park in a month’s time – a race that now has an open feel with Allaho ruled out of his hat-trick bid due to injury.

Although the Seven Barrows handler admits he should have entered Shishkin in the Champion Chase in case this exploratory move ends in disappointment, he is certain the 11-time winner is in need of a longer trip to showcase his best.

“He probably should have been in it (Champion Chase), but I was impressed with Gary Moore’s horse (in the Clarence House) to be fair and Edwardstone looked like he would come on for his race,” said Henderson.

“It does look more open this year, but Shishkin has been racing like a horse who wants further to me and I hope I’m right.”

Shishkin returns to the scene of one of his finest hours at Ascot – a place where he won an all-time classic against Energumene in the 2021 Clarence House Chase.

It was Shishkin’s stamina that helped him see off Willie Mullins’ Champion Chase hero and Henderson believes the writing was on the wall from that day regarding his charge requiring further.

He continued: “It was a tough race and you don’t really like to see horses racing off the bridle for so long the whole time.

“That’s what he’s had to do the last two times. I want to see him going round on the bridle and he’s got to be better for it.”

One slight concern for Henderson ahead of Saturday is the prospect of quick ground, but he is confident the Berkshire track will be able to water sufficiently ahead of the fixture to avoid a repeat of November’s Ascot Hurdle card where Constitution Hill was a non runner on the day of the race.

Trainer Nicky Henderson and Shishkin during a visit to Nicky Henderson’s stables at Seven Barrows in Lambourn
Trainer Nicky Henderson and Shishkin during a visit to Nicky Henderson’s stables at Seven Barrows in Lambourn (David Davies/PA)

“I want to talk to Chris Stickles and we’ll see,” continued Henderson. “It was quick, it was too quick for Constitution Hill that day. I’m sure they are watering, there’s only Newbury that can’t water, so I’m hoping Ascot will have done so.

“It is possible if it was that quick (he would go straight to Cheltenham). He would have to.”

Paul Nicholls is represented by Pic D’Orhy, who looks to extend a three-race winning run and the Peterborough Chase winner could have the chance to confirm Huntingdon form with Alex Hales’ Millers Bank (second) and Kim Bailey’s First Flow (third), with the latter another former Clarence House winner who could take his chance in the Grade One contest.

Musselburgh scorer Minella Drama could step out of handicap company for Donald McCain, while Harriet Graham and Gary Rutherford’s popular 10-year-old Aye Right is another possible for the north.

Henderson ‘very happy’ with Shishkin and has sights set on Ascot

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Shishkin came through a workout on Tuesday which enabled Nicky Henderson to continue aiming towards the Betfair Ascot Chase on February 18.

So brilliant at his best over two miles, the nine-year-old will be racing over the longest trip he has encountered since his point-to-point days.

Since pulling up in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, he returned to action when only third behind Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek.

Henderson stated he was keen to step him up in trip and that was due to be in the Silvinaco Conti Chase at Kempton – but Shishkin “flipped his palate” causing him to have a minor procedure, with Ascot then his next option.

Nicky Henderson has given Shishkin the green light for Ascot
Nicky Henderson has given Shishkin the green light for Ascot (David Davies/PA)

“Shishkin worked this morning. We were all very happy with him and he is on schedule for the Betfair Ascot Chase,” said Henderson.

“The step up in trip is not even a question mark for me, it is an absolute necessity, and consequently we did not even enter him for the Champion Chase.

“You would like to think that this could take you on to the Ryanair Chase, although we also put him in the Gold Cup as we have come to the firm conclusion that he is a stayer, but we will see.”

Taking him on will be last year’s winner, Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudairies, last seen winning in slightly fortunate circumstances at Thurles.

Fakir D’Oudairies (right) leads Two For Gold over the final fence in last year's race
Fakir D’oudairies (right) leads Two For Gold over the final fence in last year’s race (Simon Marper/PA)

“Fakir D’oudairies is an intended runner in the Betfair Ascot Chase,” said O’Brien.

“We were very pleased with how his prep went in Thurles. It was a very hot race and should hopefully set him up for another successful spring campaign.

“He has been around for a while and has achieved a lot already, but he is not an old horse by any means and I see no reason why he can’t have another good end to this season at least.”

A total of 13 have been entered for the Grade One, including Paul Nicholls’ improving Pic D’Orhy and stablemate Hitman.

Fanion D’Estruval, last year’s second Two For Gold, Paint The Dream and First Gold are all in the mix.

Shishkin ‘back in action’ and pencilled in for Ascot Chase return

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Nicky Henderson is looking towards the Betfair Ascot Chase in February for the next outing of Shishkin.

The Seven Barrows handler revealed earlier this month his nine-year-old had “flipped his palate” in a piece of work and would need 10 days off while the problem was resolved, ruling out a step up in distance for the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton.

Shishkin – beaten into third behind Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek Chase on his reappearance this season – will now try a trip in excess of two miles for the first time over fences in the Grade One feature at Ascot next month.

Nicky Henderson with Shishkin at Seven Barrows
Nicky Henderson with Shishkin at Seven Barrows (Tim Goode/PA)

Giving an update on plans at Kempton Park on Saturday, Henderson said: “He’s had his palate tightened and the procedure is so simple, it’s like tightening a screw that’s come loose. They call it a wind op, but in fact it’s as far from a wind op as you can get, and he’s back in action.

“The race we’re looking at is the Ascot Chase (February 18) over two-miles-five. The timing looks good.

“The first time I knew he wanted two and a half was against Energumene when he was out of his comfort zone but still stayed on to beat the others.

“We found out we had a problem but after a couple of reverses he’s ready to come back, and I would say it’s odds-on we head for the Ryanair (at Cheltenham).

“If this works we might regret not entering him for the Queen Mother, but if we wanted to run we could supplement him.

“We’ve had very good horses like Sprinter (Sacre) who have had to come back, and he’s the latest.”

‘Almost certainly’ straight to Cheltenham now for Constitution Hill

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Nicky Henderson is set to chart a direct route to Cheltenham with Unibet Champion Hurdle favourite Constitution Hill.

The six-year-old is the 1-5 market leader for the Festival highlight in March after another wide-margin success in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, routing stablemate Epatante by 17 lengths – an increase of five lengths on his Fighting Fifth verdict over the crack mare.

Henderson had mentioned the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock on January 21 as a possible stopping point for his star hurdler, while the Irish Champion Hurdle takes place at Leopardstown on February 5. But neither option looks likely now.

The Seven Barrows handler would have been keen to run at Cheltenham had the International Hurdle that was originally scheduled for December 10 been resurrected, but that is not a possibility, despite Henderson raising the idea.

He told Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast: “We’ve ummed and ahhed a fair bit, I did have what I thought was quite a bright idea but it doesn’t quite come off and I can understand why, but I did sort of enquire whether we might have the International Hurdle that was abandoned rescheduled on Trials Day at Cheltenham.

“If that had been possible I would have gone there with him, but I really don’t like the idea of Haydock and so I think almost certainly Constitution Hill will not run again before Cheltenham.

“He’s obviously very good fresh, he was very good the first time this year in the Fighting Fifth. Last year we went from the Tolworth to Cheltenham and you couldn’t have had him any better so I really don’t see any point, there’s nothing to be gained.

“I might have an open day or something so people can come and see him – I would have thought that was a possibility.”

Epatante is a previous Champion Hurdle winner
Epatante is a previous Champion Hurdle winner (David Davies/PA)

Epatante won the Champion Hurdle in 2020 and finished third and second to Honeysuckle in subsequent renewals, but having been comprehensively beaten twice by Constitution Hill, her future plans have yet to be decided – with similar comments applied to Relkeel Hurdle third First Street.

Henderson added: “We haven’t discussed (Cheltenham) with Epatante yet, we will see what she does. First Street is a difficult one – I mean where does he go? He’s on the verge of it, but he didn’t stay two and a half on that ground on the weekend. You would enter him anyway. He’s a very decent horse.”

Seven Barrows houses the Relkeel victor Marie’s Rock, who is on course to defend her Mares’ Hurdle title at the Festival before a potential step up to three miles in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree.

Marie’s Rock won the Relkeel on New Year's Day
Marie’s Rock won the Relkeel on New Year’s Day (David Davies/PA)

Henderson said: “What I would really like to do with her is go to Cheltenham, I would love her to defend her title, and then I would seriously think about going to Aintree and trying her over three.

“We’ve always talked about it and everything did go swimmingly well, you find Constitution Hill coming into the the two-and-a-half-mile at Aintree.

“Are we tempted to put her in the Stayers’ (at Cheltenham)? The answer is probably no, we would stick to the Mares’ and then (look at Aintree) not just because of Constitution Hill, but because we’ve genuinely always discussed whether she would stay three.”

Jonbon will head to Warwick for his Festival prep
Jonbon will head to Warwick for his Festival prep (Steven Paston/PA)

Jonbon was 22 lengths behind Constitution Hill when second in the Supreme last season, but has made a seamless switch to fences this campaign, cruising to victory on his chasing bow at Warwick before sealing a ready eight-length verdict upped to Grade One level at Sandown at the beginning of December.

A Warwick return on February 11 is now his agenda.

Henderson said: “Jonbon will go to the Kingmaker at Warwick which is the only race he can run in really. He’s been round there once and it’s a good jumping test – I think that would do him good.”

Former two-mile star Shishkin is set to step up in trip at Kempton later this month after a disappointing return in the Tingle Creek, with Henderson not even entering him for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, instead opting to put him in the two-and-a-half-mile Ryanair Chase, plus the three-and-a-quarter-mile Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He added: “The plan at the moment is to go to Kempton on Saturday week for the Silviniaco Conti over two and a half miles.”