Henderson’s joy as Shishkin wins
NICKY Henderson believes Shishkin showed that he is ‘as good as ever’ after he won the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on Monday.
The seven-year-old has now extended his unbeaten run over fences, winning on his first appearance in 261 days.
A number of different reasons halted Shishkin’s return, but trainer Henderson was thrilled after seeing him in the winners enclosure again.
He said: “I am genuinely thrilled with him and yes it’s a relief because I was nervous that we weren’t really there, but we had to come out.
“I was nervous because he was in a bad way for a few weeks and that’s why he didn’t run in the Tingle Creek.
“We have got back in time for this race, but the temptation to wait for the Clarence House was there because it would’ve given us a few more weeks.
“I was keen to get out and get a run because he’s not flashy at home and Nico has been in and ridden him three or four times in the last week and he felt good.”
And after seeing his star finish 10 lengths clear of Greaneteen on Monday, the Seven Barrows handler was unsurprisingly
delighted.
“It is great because he has proved that he’s as good as ever and class is everything because the way he crosses fences is extraordinary and sometimes you don’t think he has even left the ground.”
When asked if he would return before the Cheltenham Festival in March, Henderson said: “I would like to have another run.
“The Clarence House at Ascot comes quite soon and the Game Spirit [at Newbury] comes quickly before Chelten
ham.”
“He didn’t run in the Tingle Creek because he was all wrong, but I had no worries about it all as he wasn’t right – the horse comes first.
“He has a fantastic owner and Joe [Donnelly] always says ‘do what you think is right’ and that is why we get them back because when we get that support it’s easy.
“I couldn’t have run him in the Tingle Creek, it would have wrecked him, but he is back now and we’re there to push on now.”