THERE was a glint in the eye of Nicky Henderson as he discussed Shishkin’s chances in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
And when quizzed on his best chance of the week at Cheltenham, after a polite hesitation the answer was clear. Shishkin.
A price off 11-4 is as good as you’ll get with bookmakers for the latest special talent off the Seven Barrows production line.
With the likes of Altior, Santini and Epatante to go to war with at Prestbury Park in three weeks it was interesting to hear Henderson plump for the six-year-old as his best chance.
He said: “I’d love Shishkin to win the first race on the Tuesday because that takes the pressure away and he’s got to be one of the best chances we have, so you want to make use of it early.
“That’d be the perfect start!”
Shishkin fell on his hurdling debut but has since won two on the spin, the latest of those a mighty win in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon.
Henderson added: “I think he’s very good and he’s looked that in a bumper and two novices.
“He looks very efficient and he’s got to prove himself and this will be a much bigger test than he’s had so far. But he’s been very impressive and doesn’t seem to lack experience.
“You’d have to think he’d be one of our best chances and he’s looked very good.
“He’s a genuine two-miler and it’s a good race to win because it gets the ball rolling and the pressure’s off then a bit. You can get some confidence for the week.”
Henderson admitted he could be considered the likeliest of his younger horses to become the next ‘Seven Barrows star’ largely thanks to his turn of foot.
He continued: “He races professionally and then you press a button and it works, which is what makes life easy for him.
“It’s a proper gear change. I think he’ll be fine on the track at Cheltenham as he’s a great mover with lovely balance. I already can’t wait to see him over fences.”
Henderson won the race with superstar Altior back in 2016 and could also run exciting novice Chantry House in the race, although the option of the Ballymore remains.
He said: “I’m not sure entirely which way Chantry House will go, as he is in the Ballymore and JP has obviously got Sporting John as well.
“He was very green at Cheltenham but when he went to Newbury the other day he was foot perfect.
“He travelled like a good horse, jumped like a good horse and he went away like a good horse.”
