29 November 2023 , 11:36
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Top chaser Shishkin will get another chance to get his season under way this weekend in Newcastle - seven days after refusing to race at Ascot.
The six-time Grade 1 winner was set to launch his Cheltenham Gold Cup campaign in the 1965 Chase. But when the race started, Shishkin whipped round and stayed where he was, taking no part in the race.
Shishkin’s out-of-character behaviour baffled trainer Nicky Henderson who said the horse was ‘in a mood’ and ‘wasn’t for moving’. He will give the nine-year-old a chance to prove it was a one-off in the BetMGM Rehearsal Chase, in the hope it will put him back on course towards the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
He will race on the same card as champion hurdler Constitution Hill who is due to tackle the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
Posting the news on X, Henderson said: “Just to keep everybody informed, Shishkin will run in the Rehearsal Chase on Saturday. Everything is fine with him, and he’ll travel up to Newcastle on Friday with Constitution Hill.”
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
Shishkin is 2-1 favourite with William Hill for the 3m handicap chase in which he will carry 12st. He will be conceding at least 21lb to his opponents.
The meeting may require an inspection in order to go ahead with snow reported at the track on Wednesday. Frost protection has been deployed but more wintry showers are predicted with temperatures set to remain low for the rest of the week.