'It's getting closer' - Shishkin pleases camp in final Tingle Creek workout

Top chaser Shishkin remains on course for the Betfair Tingle Creek at Sandown next Saturday after sailing through his final bit of work.

Trained by Nicky Henderson for Joe and Marie Donnelly, Shishkin has not been seen since being pulled up in March's Champion Chase.

He was diagnosed with a rare bone condition after that, but the Tingle Creek has long been a comeback target.

Betfair make him 2-1 for the prestigious Grade 1 with last year's winner Greaneteen their 13-8 favourite.

Edwardstone, who won the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival in the spring, may also be in the mix, but Shishkin's participation would add extra glamour to the occasion.

Shishkin (left) is well on top of a gallop with Long Distance Hurdle winner Champ at NewburyCredit: Steven Cargill

He impressed onlookers, which included legendary 20-time champion Sir Anthony McCoy, when stretching his legs on Henderson's Seven Barrows gallops on the edge of Lambourn on Friday morning, while he also looked on good terms with himself when exercising at Newbury last week.

"We were very happy with him on Friday morning," said Henderson, a winner at Newbury later that afternoon with the exciting Jet Powered, who is also owned by the Donnellys.

"Nico rode him and that will be the end of his work. At the moment, I'm never going to say, 'We are', but it's getting closer."

The ground on Sandown's chase course was described as good, good to soft in places on Saturday morning, but 10mm of rain is forecast overnight into Sunday with showers possible that day, although the weather after that is "looking dry" according to track officials.

Henderson has won the Tingle Creek on two occasions – Sprinter Sacre in 2012 and Altior six years later – and Betfair's Barry Orr welcomed the possible appearance of Shishkin, who was involved in an epic Clarence House clash with Energumene at Ascot in January.

He said: "It's shaping up to be a quality renewal with defending champion Greaneteen and young buck Edwardstone set to lock horns but throw Shishkin into the mix and it becomes a vintage renewal."

Tingle Creek (2.55 Sandown, December 3)

Betfair:13-8 Greaneteen, 2 Shishkin, 5-2 Edwardstone, 6 Ferny Hollow, 14 Captain Guinness, Gentleman De Mee, 16 Dunvegan, First Flow, 25 bar

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