Desert stormer in store

PAUL Nicholls is eager to let Greaneteen take on Shishkin in next week’s Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.

The seven-year-old would have to shoulder a Grade One penalty, but that was well earned given his display in the Tingle Creek at Sandown.

Beaten just two lengths in the Champion Chase in March, Nicholls is confident Greaneteen, who will be the mount of Bryony Frost, is still improving.

Should he clash with last season’s Arkle winner Shishkin – who is still not a certain runner given he was under the weather at the time of the Tingle Creek and Nicky Henderson has been rushing to get him ready – punters would be in for a post-Christmas treat.

“Greaneteen is incredibly well, he astonishes me with how he keeps improving physically. He hardly lost a kilo in the Tingle Creek and is obviously at the top of his game,” said Nicholls.

“He’s in good shape, he stayed on strongly at Sandown and he’s definitely going to run. We’re looking forward to seeing if Shishkin turns up. You’d have thought the other day he had a hard race, but he came out of it bouncing and has been very fresh since. We’re very happy with him and can’t wait to run him.

“Obviously Shishkin had a great season last year and was well placed, and won well at Cheltenham and Aintree but he has to step up now.

“He’s obviously very smart but first time out, we’re certainly not afraid of taking him on, anyway.”

Nicholls runs another of his big hopes for the future in Bravemansgame in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, with the six-year-old unbeaten in his first two races over fences.