NICKY HENDERSON has ruled Shishkin OUT of the Betfair Tingle Creek.
The unbeaten chaser was the odds-on antepost favourite for the Sandown Grade 1 on December 4.
But the Lambourn handler has ruled his star out of a potential clash with Chacun Pour Soi and Nube Negra.
A poor piece of work on Wednesday morning meant Henderson spoke with his owners before making a call.
He said: “I’ve just spoken to owner Joe Donnelly and we’ve sadly and reluctantly decided that Shishkin is not going to run in the Tingle Creek.
“There’s nothing wrong with him, but I just haven’t got there. He worked this morning and he just isn’t sparky at the moment. I think I just got behind the ball a little bit.
“We did his wind in the autumn which wasn’t a problem, but it just put us behind the ball and Nico de Boinville and I both feel he’s not quite on his A game.
“It really is a thin line. We’ve scoped him and everything and there’s nothing wrong, but you can’t afford to go into this at anything bar 100 per cent.”
Henderson indicated his star would now head to Kempton over Christmas for the Desert Orchid Chase.
It means Willie Mullins’ ace Chacun Pour Soi – expected to lead the Irish challenge – is the new 11-8 favourite.
Dan Skleton’s Nube Negra is next in at 7-2 with Greaneteen a 5-1 shot with sponsors Betfair.
Their spokesman Barry Orr said: “It’s disappointing for Racing fans that they won’t get to see Shishkin on Saturday week and that abdication leaves Chacun Pour Soi heading the market at 11-8.”
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