Shishkin Triumphs in Betfair Denman Chase at Ascot Racecourse
Shishkin Secures Decisive Victory at Ascot’s Betfair Denman Chase
Shishkin, the racehorse trained by Nicky Henderson, solidified his position as a contender for next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup with a convincing win in the Betfair Denman Chase at Ascot Racecourse.
“Shishkin, the enigmatic racehorse trained by Nicky Henderson, solidified his status as a contender for next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup with a convincing win in the Betfair Denman Chase.”
Shishkin, rated at 8-1 for the prestigious National Hunt festival’s feature race, had experienced a tumultuous season, including a refusal to start on his seasonal debut at Ascot in November. However, his five previous Grade One victories, including the Arkle Novices’ Chase at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, have demonstrated the power of the “equine equivalent of an F1 engine” beneath his exterior.
The victory on Saturday was particularly significant as it marked Shishkin’s first completed start since his win in the Aintree Bowl Chase last April. Trainer Nicky Henderson admitted to being nervous before the race, but the horse’s impressive performance, with the exception of a missed fence, has put him firmly in the picture for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Clash of the Titans: Shishkin vs. Galopin Des Champs
Galopin Des Champs, the defending Gold Cup champion, has been equally impressive in his recent Grade One winning runs in Ireland, and the prospect of a clash between these two exceptional horses has racing enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the Cheltenham festival.
In addition to Shishkin’s triumph, the day also witnessed Nico de Boinville and Iberico Lord’s victory in the £155,000 Betfair Hurdle, a sixth win for Henderson in Britain’s most valuable handicap hurdle. Earlier, a change in tactics had a positive effect on Alan King’s Edwardstone, as he ended a six-race losing streak with a comfortable win in the Game Spirit Chase. However, Edwardstone will face a much tougher task at the Cheltenham Festival, where he is set to take on Willie Mullins-trained El Fabiolo and Henderson’s Jonbon in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The Ascot Racecourse action has set the stage for an exciting lead-up to the highly anticipated Cheltenham Festival, where Shishkin, Galopin Des Champs, and other top-class horses will vie for the coveted titles.
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