Cheltenham Festival News: Saturday gallop for god-like Shishkin ahead of Champion Chase
Shishkin celebration
Nicky Henderson is to give top chaser Shishkin a gallop this weekend ahead of an almighty clash with Energumene in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on March 16.
A Saturday gallop is on the cards for Nicky Henderson's superstar chaser Shishkin, a first serious piece of work since his legendary Ascot victory over Energumene.
The eight-year-old engaged in a clash of the Titans with Willie Mullins' star in the Clarence House Chase last month, as the pair duelled up the Ascot straight before Shishkin got up at the line.
The next round of Shishkin Vs Energumene comes in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and Henderson reports his beauty to have recovered well from a race that will live long in the memory.
He told Tattersalls Cheltenham: "It was a tough race, and you would expect them to have a little after effect, but he was bright and breezy straight away. He looked well, ate up and has been very straightforward.
"He's had a couple of quiet weeks after the race and is now back in pre-Cheltenham build up. He did a little bit of work yesterday (Wednesday) and will have his first serious gallop since Ascot on Saturday. He will then do three bits of work in between and a couple of schools."
Unbeaten in seven chase starts, Shishkin is favourite to confirm the Ascot form next month in the two-mile Cheltenham highlight.
Shishkin loves the water at @sevenbarrows! pic.twitter.com/LK9fzwHuA5
— Tattersalls Cheltenham (@tattscheltenham) February 17, 2022
While the Champion Chase is a perfect trip for now, Henderson would not rule out a future step up in distance.
He added: "I'm not in a rush to go two and a half miles, but I have no doubt that he would get it if we ever had to ask him. If that's what he says at the end of the day, that he needs to go another half a mile, then we will move him up."
Shishkin was purchased by David Minton and Anthony Bromley's Highflyer Bloodstock for owner Joe Donnelly for a bargaon £170,000.
Henderson said: "He was at the Tattersalls Point-to-Point Sale and we were looking for a horse for Joe. You don't need to look at a horse for long, you either like it or you don't like it.
"When you see something that you really like you know straight away, unless it turns out to have faults you can't forgive. He was a grand individual - he'd won his point-to-point and was impressive doing that.
"I said to Minty straight away, that's the one we want."
