Saturday racing opinion | Stupid? Sensational Shishkin should go for Cheltenham Gold Cup

Nicky Henderson knows more about training racehorses than Matt Chapman. who knew

The outspoken ITV race And Sky Sports Racing The presenter got his head around the 72-year-old trainer on his press day earlier in the week, with the Seven Barrows maestro angered by Chapman’s insistence that his nine-year-old should have been entered for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

“He tells me I’m a nut,” Henderson gasped. “I have nothing for the Champion Chase unless Matt Chapman is right and I’m a complete so-and-so for not entering Shishkin. We will find out on Saturday.”

Find out we did it. Shishkin roared at his best again, who hit some very solid standards out of sight in Pic D’Orhy and Fakir D’Oudairies, his 16 length win proved emphatically that he indeed had to go further. He settled in beautifully on the 2m5f trip at Betfair Ascot Chase. He traveled comfortably, jumping straight and fast, and ending like a train. This was a high quality horseback that worked at its best.

And the champion hunt shouldn’t affect anyone connected to Shishkin’s mind after that. No Queen Mother entry from Henderson was the right call. Physically, Henderson has him where he wants him for the first time in 12 months. He may be over the rare bone condition, upturned palate and kick he got starting at Tingle Creek, but he also thrived on the journey and there’s no going back now.

The bookie’s reaction was as quick as Shishkin was after the last one. It’s been cut across the board for the Ryanair chase, it’s even price in places, a best of 11/10 and it’s likely to go haywire that day.

With Allaho absent from the festival, Shishkin is by far the best horse in the Ryanair division. As a two-time Cheltenham Festival winner, he obviously has a pedigree in that regard, too. I’ve heard the Betfair Ascot Chase wasn’t a good indicator of Cheltenham, but Alberta’s Run, Riverside Theater and Cue Card all competed in this race before winning Ryanair between 2010 and 2013, with the latter duo winning both races.

It’s the obvious way, but is it the right way?

Shishkin, a winning three-mile pointer and related to horses that stayed further than that, did not stop at the finish line in Saturday’s 2m5f. He ran straight through, although Nico de Boinville raised his left arm in celebration 20 meters from the winning post.

Yes, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is over five furlongs, but look at that performance and see a horse that definitely doesn’t get the 3m2f trip? Oh no.

And although the Ryanair Chase was a Gold Cup launch pad for Imperial Commander, this was different. Imperial Commander was eight when he won Ryanair. Shishkin is nine now, in his prime. If he ever wants to go for gold, it’s now.

Henderson was smart enough to get him a Gold Cup entry. He’s in there and the bookies cut him to 6/1, some 8s, some 10s and those who aren’t non runner no bets went to 20s.

Introduce yourself. Galopin des Champs, A Plus Tard and Shishkin all fight in the Gold Cup. All three with that unique blend of speed and endurance, all three with that Kauto Star-esque X Factor. It could be a gold cup for eternity. Henderson has the key.

Of course we’ve been here before. We are here a lot. Expanding the Cheltenham Festival to four days has brought more racing and with it a dilution of championship events. I know you’re sick of hearing it and I’m sick of writing it. It is what it is.

I like Ryanair Chase. It has produced some fantastic winners such as Imperial Commander, Albertas Run, Cue Card, Vautour and Allaho. Unlike some other races, it has its place at the festival. And if Shishkin goes there and wins easily, I’ll enjoy it.

That looks by far the most likely outcome. Commenting on the chances of Shishkin accepting his Gold Cup entry, Henderson said, “I would have thought it would be pretty stupid, but I’ve done some stupid things in my time!”

But it’s not stupid to compete in the best race in the sport with one of the best horses. The Ryanair Chase is fine, but it’s not the Gold Cup.

And there’s nothing wrong with wishing and hoping, nothing wrong with imploring the sport’s major players to deliver the kind of championship competition the festival deserves.

“He’s too bad for Ryanair,” Chapman told Henderson Sky Sports Racing following Saturday’s function. “What about the prestige?”

You know what, Nicky, I think he might be right this time.

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