Shishkin is almost certain to be targeted for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at next year’s Cheltenham Festival, according to Paddy Power ambassador Ruby Walsh.
The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old scored a comfortable 12l win in the 2m Arkle Chase to continue an unbeaten season as a novice chaser and follow up last year’s success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Paddy Power have installed Shishkin as the 5/4 antepost favourite for the 2022 Queen Mother Champion Chase – the shorter of the two Championship chases at the Festival – and our resident jockey-turned-pundit believes it is the right path for connections to follow.
Speaking about Shiskin’s Arkle Chase win on the latest episode of From The Horse’s Mouth, Ruby said: “He was very good.
“Allmankind and Captain Guinness blazed along and went a really strong gallop and it set up beautifully for Shishkin, who was in behind and jumped like he always does. He was just way too good for the opposition a bit like Appreciate It and won as he pleased.
“Harry Cobden gave Eldorado Allen a really good ride to rob second but there was only one horse in it from a long way out.
“I couldn’t see them going any other road [than the Champion Chase].”
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Shishkin’s task was made easier by the late withdrawal of Willie Mullins’ Energumene. As a result, Paddy Power trader Frank Hickey believes it was a low-quality field but Shishkin’s class shone through with a comprehensive win.
Frank said: “It was a brilliant ride from Harry Cobden to get Eldorado Allen up to second but I’m pretty confident he’s not the second best horse in the race.
“Shishkin was impressive. I get what you’re saying about the race losing a bit of it’s excitement with Energumene not being in it but you’re looking at next year’s Champion Chase and he’s already 5/4.
“He was an impressive winner of what was behind him a sub-standard Arkle but he is a top-class horse.”
*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing / Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional Antepost rules
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