Shishkin Bounces Back to Form at Newbury in the Betfair Denman Chase

In a stunning comeback, Shishkin emerged victorious in the prestigious Betfair Denman Chase held at Newbury. The talented ten-year-old had faced numerous setbacks earlier in the season but was finally able to showcase his true potential on this occasion.

Prior to this race, Shishkin encountered misfortune when he refused to start in the 1965 Chase at Ascot on his seasonal debut back in November. Furthermore, he unseated jockey Nico de Boinville while performing exceptionally well during the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Despite these challenges, Shishkin entered the Grade Two event as the strong favorite with odds of 8-11 and traveled closely behind Protektorat for most of the nearly three-mile contest.

As they reached the final bend, Shishkin effortlessly picked up pace and comfortably surged ahead of his four rivals, ultimately winning by an impressive margin of four and a quarter lengths.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Shishkin, expressed his initial concerns about running him on heavy ground before the race. However, fortunately, those worries were put aside as conditions turned out better than expected thanks to superb efforts by Newbury’s ground staff.

Henderson emphasized that this victory marked Shiskin’s first completed run since Aintree last year – an important milestone for the talented horse. The trainer believed that the race was necessary for Shishkin’s progress, regardless of prevailing conditions.

Shishkin showcased exceptional jumping skills throughout the race, with only one minor mistake. Henderson praised his performance and acknowledged that he needed this run to regain his form after previous disappointments.

All eyes are now set on the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, where Shishkin remains unchanged at odds of 8-1 with Betfair to secure a third victory in this highly anticipated event.

Henderson confirmed their intention to compete in the prestigious Gold Cup, stating that they have no other viable options available. Despite concerns about the extended three and a quarter-mile distance, Henderson firmly believes that it will not faze Shishkin.

The trainer also expressed satisfaction over Shishkin’s improved behavior during races. With any starting issues seemingly resolved, Henderson is confident about their chances in upcoming races:

“I went to Ireland last weekend to see how Willie’s horses were doing – I believe Shiskin has a great chance! There doesn’t seem to be any reason not to run him in the Gold Cup.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, who would have thought that after facing numerous perplexities and inconsistencies earlier this season, Shishkin would bounce back so triumphantly? This remarkable win sets him up as a serious contender for future racing events such as

the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. It goes without saying that spectators eagerly await his next spectacular performance! .