YEAR OF THE RAT
Protektorat is safest bet against untrustworthy favourite Shishkin
Protektorat is the value play against hot favourite Shishkin in the Denman Chase (2.05) at newbury today.
The betting market says Nicky Henderson’s 10-year-old, who has 8lb and more in hand of his four rivals on British Horseracing Authority figures, has the Grade 2 test at his mercy.
But things are seldom that simple with Shishkin. He refused to race at Ascot in November and then unseated Nico de Boinville after the penultimate fence of the King George VI Chase when leading at Kempton on Boxing Day.
It’s true that Protektorat threw in a stinker when last of four in Haydock’s Betfair Chase in November. But a third behind Broadway Boy under top weight in a competitive handicap chase at Cheltenham nine days before Christmas represented a return to form for Dan Skelton’s stable star.
And his two-and-a-quarterlength second to L’homme Presse in the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield last month was another fine effort, particularly as my selection was conceding 4lb to the winner. Rain-softened ground is no issue to Harry Skelton’s mount and, if Shishkin leaves his A-game at home, Protektorat will take advantage.
The Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase (2.40) is a good chance for BOOTHILL to get back on track after a costly departure at Kempton over Christmas.
Punters made Harry Fry’s nine-year-old the 11-8 favourite for the Desert Orchid Chase but Johnny Burke’s partner came down five out behind Editeur Du Gite.
Prior to that mishap, Boothill had shown himself on an upward curve with two handicap chase scores at Ascot in November – and there is more to come.
Only a stumble at the final flight denied KYNTARA a hattrick at Warwick last time out, but compensation awaits in the Betfair Serial Winners Fund Handicap Hurdle (1.30).
The Mel Rowley trainee, previously on the money at Lingfield and Aintree, lost momentum and was collared by the progressive J’ai Froid, but can find the progress needed to overcome a 4lb higher mark.