02 August 2023 , 10:08
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Jumps star Shishkin is on a holiday with a difference - learning how to do dressage with Zara Tindall.
The two-time Cheltenham Festival winner, who was pulled up in the 2022 Champion Chase, bounced back to form last season to land two Grade 1 races.
He rediscovered his old swagger over longer distances to capture the Betfair Ascot Chase over 2m5f and Aintree Bowl over 3m1f.
In between he finished second in the Ryanair Chase, beaten two and three quarter lengths by Envoi Allen.
During the off season Henderson sends many of his horses to different locations to spend their summer break.
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And the royal trainer revealed that Shishkin was with champion equestrian Tindall, who won a team silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
“It’s purely to build him up and make him strong, get all the muscle in the right places and get everything working subtly and properfly,” said Henderson, speaking to Sky Sports Racing.
“He’s with Zara Tindall and they’re enjoying having him. He will do another ten days there and will be ready to crack on with.”
Shishkin won the Supreme Novices’ and Arkle Trophy over 2m at the Cheltenham Festival but will race over 3m this season. He is a 14-1 chance for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Trainer Nicky Henderson with star chaser Shishkin (Getty)“We are going to go three miles with him this year because he virtually told us that at Aintree,” added Henderson, who trains for the King and Queen.
“The further he went the better he went which was good news. The King George VI Chase would definitely be the objective to tell us where we are.
“We have to sight a race for him before that. That’s not quite so easy. There are a couple of options to have a race before the King George and then that will be telling us where to go. I am hoping it tells us he stays, he stays.”