Nicky Henderson mulls options for Shishkin after recovery from minor setback

A flipped palate ruled Shishkin out of this weekend's Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton but trainer Nicky Henderson does not expect his chasing star to remain off the track for long, with the Game Spirit and Denman Chase on next month's Super Saturday card at Newbury both possible targets.

Henderson remains keen to try Shishkin over two and a half miles – the distance he would have raced over at Kempton – but is keeping his options open for the nine-year-old, whose breathing problem came to light following a scope after stable jockey Nico de Boinville reported that he made a noise during work.

"He's fine now but it was a little bit of a setback. He's having a quiet week and then he'll get back to work," said Henderson. "It was an idea to run him this weekend in the Silviniaco Conti, but we found a reason not to because we had a look at his wind and we saw an opportunity to improve it.

"It was more important that we did that rather than getting a race into him. We're not quite sure when he'll be back but it doesn't take long to sort this issue out – it's very simple."

Kempton's loss could be Newbury's gain as Henderson would like to get a run into the dual festival winner before returning to Cheltenham.

"There are options," he added. "We could go to Newbury over two or three miles, but I'd probably like to go over two and a half – that's why I thought this weekend's race was ideal.

"I didn't put him in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, but that happened before we found this issue and we'll have to see how things go and see how it's affected him."

The Grade 1 winner, who has won 11 of his 14 starts, holds entries in the Ryanair Chase and Gold Cup at the festival, but Henderson has not yet made a decision on which route to take.

He said: "Maybe he'll come back from this issue and I'll find out he's a two-miler, in which case I've got him in all the wrong races. But it's a bonus to have him in both races at Cheltenham as it's nice to have the option and leave the door open."

Epic battle: Energumene (near side) and Shishkin fight it out in the Clarence HouseCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

This time last year Henderson was gearing up for the Clarence House at Ascot – a race Shishkin won after an enthralling battle with the Willie Mullins-trained Energumene.

He said: "It was one of the greatest races of the year and looking back he was off the bridle for most of the way round before getting there at the end. I'm pretty sure stamina isn't an issue and that he wants to go further."

Henderson provided an update on festival candidates Jonbon and Constitution Hill, warm favourites for the Arkle Chase and Champion Hurdle respectively.

The trainer said: "They're both having their flu jabs and they've had a few weeks off so they're going to get ready for what's ahead.

"Constitution Hill probably won't have a prep run but Jonbon will go for the Kingmaker at Warwick.

"It's always quieter at this time of the year while they're all re-vaccinated, but they're all in good form and we'll be ready to set off again."

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