Shishkin hurdles clear

SHISHKIN was trimmed to 8- 11 favourite for the Arkle Novices’ Chase after making it three wins from three in steeplechases with a comfortable eight-and-a-half-length victory in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Lightning Novices’ Chase at Doncaster.

The Nicky Henderson- trained winner of the 2020 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle shares the honour of being shortest-priced favourite for the Cheltenham Festival in March with Gordon Elliott-trained Envoi Allen, who has his sights set on the Marsh Novices’ Chase.

Inevitable comparisons have been drawn between Shishkin and Sprinter Sacre and Altior, the two most recent champion two-mile chasers off the Henderson production line.

Jockey Nico De Boinville was full of praise for Shishkin. After leaving useful runner- up Eldorado Allen floundering, De Boinville said: ‘They tried to turn it into a (stamina) test but it didn’t faze him. He doesn’t waste any time in the air. He almost hurdles his fences, which is what some of the best two-milers do.’

The strength of the Arkle Chase opposition could become clearer with the Willie Mullins- trained Energumene, ante- post second favourite and impressive winner of his two chases, holding entries at next weekend’s Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.

Henderson’s 2 0 2 0 Gol d Cup runner-up Santini is likely to head to Sandown next Saturday if t he meeting hosts the re- scheduled Cotswold Chase.