Nicky Henderson - 'Shishkin is all systems go for Kempton'

Nicky Henderson has confirmed it is “all systems go” for Shishkin to run at Kempton on Monday in the Desert Orchid Chase.

Last season’s brilliant Arkle winner missed his possible return outing this month in the Tingle Creek Chase, with Henderson revealing he had scoped dirty the day before the Sandown winter highlight.

However, the sounds coming out of Seven Barrows were more encouraging when Henderson spoke to the media on Monday evening and the leading trainer has now tweeted that the seven-year-old is bang on course for Kempton.

Henderson tweeted on Christmas Eve: “After a great schooling session yesterday and a good piece of work today I am pleased to report that Shishkin is all systems go for Kempton on Monday.”

The seven-year-old is unbeaten in five starts over fences and is the general 7-4 ante-post favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

He could face up to four rivals for his intended seasonal reappearance in the Ladbrokes-sponsored Grade 2, a race Henderson has won four times including with greats Sprinter Sacre and Altior.

He is the 1-2 favourite with William Hill for the Desert Orchid, with Tingle Creek winner Greaneteen next best in the market at 9-4. Funambule Sivola, Sky Pirate and Before Midnight are the other potential runners.

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