Nicky Henderson’s superstar Shishkin a brilliant winner of the Betfair Ascot Chase

Once considered an unstoppable force in the two-mile division, she won a Supreme, Arkle and Queen Mother Champion Chase; There were questions if the racing public would ever see him at his best again as he was pulled up as a favorite in last season’s Champion Chase and he was battling for his seasonal reappearance in the Tingle Creek Chase.

The nine-year-old had some known issues and his trainer was called upon to reinforce him on the trip without entering Shishkin for the Champion Chase. That daring was rewarded with spades when Shishkin, sent off after 2/1, jumped superbly during the two-mile five-furlong Grade One competition.

Last year’s winner Fakir D’oudairies was ridden patiently, but never got to the front and was beaten from a distance.

Pic D’Orhy had ridden prominently and was turning in alongside Shishkin and Nico de Boinville could be seen edging aboard the winner but he reacted and galloped on relentlessly to record a huge lead and a deeply impressive success .

Paul Nicholls, trainer of the second, told Sky Sports Racing: “Beaten by a better horse that day, end of story.

“We won’t go to Ryanair, we will go to Aintree with him. A flatter route will suit him. Shishkin can go to Ryanair now and he will be hard to beat.”

Bookies agreed and Shishkin would be one of the most popular winners of Cheltenham Festival Week.

The ante-post market for Ryanair Chase had been turned on its head with Allaho’s recent withdrawal and had looked very open, but that is no longer the case as Shishkin is a clear 5/4 favorite on Sky Bet (from 7/2) and Betfair Sportsbook while Paddy Power goes 11/10.

“Did you see how happy he was about this trip?” De Boinville asked Matt Chapman.

“All fairness to the boss and everyone at home they did a fantastic job of getting him back. He jumped in the reins and away he was.”

Shiskin also has an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Chapman tried to persuade De Boinville that the race, considered more prestigious by the presenter, should be the target and not ‘the smaller’ Ryanair Chase.

“It takes good horses to win a Ryanair,” replied the relentless jockey. “He’s a good horse. He felt fantastic, he felt at his best again and he will come for this race I can assure you.”

A beaming Henderson said: “The team can be (very proud). Everyone, literally everyone. We had a bone problem and wind surgery. Nico said he had a good shot up until the last time and I think he will come through for today.

“Nico firmly believes that the Champion Chase is not the race. He was right in his bridle and he was going all the way. You saw him at Tingle Creek and at Clarence House and he was out of control all the way. The difference today was that we were always out and he always loved it and that’s what I loved; seeing him all the way back in his comfort zone.”

More from Sporting Life

Play safer

We are committed to safer gambling. Recommended bets are recommended for those over the age of 18 and we strongly encourage readers to only wager what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling please contact the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

For more support and information, see begambleaware.org And Gambling Therapy.org.