Can Shishkin bounce back to his best up in distance? Four things we learned

We were treated to more brilliant action this weekend with Edwardstone the star in the Tingle Creek Chase before Teahupoo downed Honeysuckle in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle. Here are four things we've learned from this weekend's racing . . .

1. Shishkin needs further to prove he can still be a force

Shishkin made a bewildering return when third in the Tingle Creek. He made a slow start, was niggled along constantly by Nico de Boinville and made a howling error at the Pond fence.

What is clear is the once-brilliant two miler is simply not good enough over that trip anymore and connections now have to roll the dice in a staying division full of quality.

His trainer Nicky Henderson did not hint at how far he could go up in distance, but going straight to three miles and further against the likes of Protektorat, L'Homme Presse, Galopin Des Champs and A Plus Tard could prove a very hard ask this season.

Shishkin (left): was no match for Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

The obvious route would be over 2m4f and a tilt at the Ryanair Chase, but even then he is likely to come up against the might of Allaho. Wherever he goes though, he must prove he still has the brilliant class we saw so often before his Champion Chase disaster.

2. Champion Bumper form keeps getting better

Last season's Champion Bumper saw its form boosted even more on Saturday, with the winner Facile Vega and fifth Authorised Speed both winning impressively in their respective races over hurdles.

Admittedly, they were expected to get the jobs done as 1-9 and 1-3 favourites, but they both enhanced their lofty reputations to suggest they could be top-level winners in waiting over obstacles.

Gary Moore said the Tolworth Hurdle was likely to be Authorised Speed's next race, while Facile Vega – already 5-4 favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle – surely has to go straight to the top next based on what he's done on the track so far.

Facile Vega: boosted the Champion Bumper form on SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

However, punters should continue to keep an eye on those who competed in the Champion Bumper, as it's now produced seven winners and could still have more to come.

3. Maintain trust clerks can get ground right for big occasions

The unseasonably dry conditions this winter have undoubtedly caused nightmares for clerks of the courses, but for the second week running, perfect ground was delivered to provide a thrilling spectacle – this time at Sandown for the Tingle Creek.

With minimal rain expected in the days beforehand, Sandown clerk Andrew Cooper applied 22.5mm of water to help keep the ground good, and was duly rewarded when all the big guns stood their ground in the Tingle Creek.

The race delivered with Edwardstone's stunning win on good-to-soft ground on the chase course, and it was not used as an excuse for any of his beaten rivals.

Clerks will never produce ground to please everybody and nature can take its own course, but just as Newbury and Newcastle did last week, Cooper and his Sandown team produced spot-on conditions, for which they deserve great credit.

4. Honeysuckle could be on the wane

It wasn't in the script. Everything was set for history, but Honeysuckle saw her unblemished record go up in smoke with a shock defeat in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle.

She had won the race for the previous three years, but the star mare looked as if she lacked her usual zest, and the deadly turn of foot we had been accustomed to did not have the effect this time as she weakened into third.

Granted, she may have just needed the run more than previous years, but this was the worst performance of her career and she's not getting any younger. So, the idea she may just lack slightly what she used to have has to be considered.

She is still brilliant, no doubting that, but all perfect things come to an end and she really needed to win to keep tabs on Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle picture, especially after his stunning return.

Read these next . . .

'Today just wasn't to be' - Honeysuckle stunned by Teahupoo in Hatton's Grace

Shishkin set for 'hike in trip' as Nicky Henderson ponders next move

'He was very slick' - Facile Vega 5-4 for Supreme after easy hurdling debut win

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