Cotswold Chase option for Gold Cup hope Chantry House after King George flop

Chantry House, a bitter disappointment in the King George VI Chase over Christmas, could get back on the Gold Cup trail in Cheltenham's Paddy Power Cotswold Chase on January 29.

The handsome seven-year-old, a festival winner in what was the Marsh last season, had been seen as one of Britain's main players in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and went off the 3-1 favourite for Sunday's King George at Kempton.

However, he was never going well and was pulled up with six fences to jump. As a consequence, he is now a general 25-1 for March's Gold Cup.

Members can watch the King George replay here

Chantry House's stablemate Mister Fisher was also pulled up in the King George, but trainer Nicky Henderson was more satisfied with his effort.

"I didn't know what to make of Chantry," he said. "Some horses just don't like Kempton and he was always flat to the boards. He was never really enjoying it and I'd have thought he'd go to Cheltenham for the Cotswold Chase.

"Mister Fisher ran well, really well, but he'd have no chance in that soft ground. He came into the straight and just blew up, but he had a fibrillating heart a month ago and has done well to get back after that."

Monday's action at Kempton was much sweeter for Henderson thanks to the brilliance displayed by Shishkin in the Desert Orchid Chase.

Odds-on in places for the Betway-backed Champion Chase, he has the option of the SBK Clarence House Chase at Ascot next month, a race for which the Queen Mother second-favourite Energumene is earmarked.

Shishkin: in a league of his own at KemptonCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"Shishkin is entered in the Clarence House and it's January 22, which gives us three and a half weeks, so I'd rather go there than the Game Spirit at Newbury in February," Henderson said.

Like the Lambourn trainer, Paul Nicholls was out of luck in the King George, saddling Clan Des Obeaux, Saint Calvados and Frodon to fill the places behind shock 28-1 winner Tornado Flyer.

"They're all fine," Nicholls said. "Clan will go to Newbury in February for the Denman Chase, Saint Calvados will probably go for the Ascot Chase, and Frodon might go to Ireland on February 5 [for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup].

"That's what I'm thinking, but it's not set in stone. I'm just trying to think where I can go to keep them separate and I think Saint Calvados will get three miles on good ground, ridden with a little bit of restraint.

"He just got involved in the race with Clan a bit too soon the other day. The obvious race, on the way he travelled, is the Ascot Chase, and then we'll see."

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