Shishkin’s on course for Tingle
SHISHKIN thrilled Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville in a morning workout yesterday ahead of his planned return to action in the Tingle Creek Chase next Saturday.
The star two-miler was found to be suffering from a “pretty rare bone condition” after losing his unbeaten record over fences in the Queen Mother Champion Chase — Shishkin was pulled up after the eighth of 13 obstacles — at Cheltenham last March. But, reporting the eight-year-old to have taken a step closer to a Sandown comeback, the Seven Barrows trainer (above) said yesterday: “He worked this morning and he’s in very good order.
“Nico rode him and his work was good — he says he feels fantastic.”
Shishkin is a bestpriced 2-1 second favourite for the Grade 1 feature — Greaneteen is the 13-8 market leader — with Edwardstone, heading to Esher after defecting from Ascot’s card last Saturday, third best at 3-1.
Henderson, who found himself under fire after Constitution Hill — the Champion Hurdle favourite makes his reappearance in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle today — was also a non-runner at Ascot, added: “At the moment the intention is to run.
“I can only put it that way without digging myself a bloody great hole but he’s going to have one more school on Tuesday and, if that goes according to plan, the intention is to run.”