Is Shishkin really the best we can do?! How the Gold Cup betting paints a damning picture of British racing
"British hopes are led by Shishkin." Six little words that say so much, taken from the end of the Racing Post's report on this week's Cheltenham Gold Cup entries.
That puts everything in perspective, doesn't it? The home team for our most prestigious jumps race is currently headed by a horse whose form figures for this season consist of the letters 'RU'.
It sounds like the start of a question, possibly: "Are you going to behave yourself for an entire race at some point this season? Are you hell-bent on finding new ways to avoid winning?"
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on 4 January 2024inChris Cook
Last updated 14:07, 4 January 2024
- Strength of your views on affordability is hidden away under Gambling Commission's diplomatic verbiage
- Time to lavish unqualified praise on Willie Mullins, an unstoppable force unlike any in jump racing history
- I'm feeling a deep sense of loss over the Grand National - and I know many of you feel the same
- Expensive barristers, BHA staffers, trainers and jockeys tied up for hours - all for the sake of a Class 4 handicap
- We're starting to move on from Cheltenham arguments - and that's dangerous if it means the big issue isn't fixed
- Strength of your views on affordability is hidden away under Gambling Commission's diplomatic verbiage
- Time to lavish unqualified praise on Willie Mullins, an unstoppable force unlike any in jump racing history
- I'm feeling a deep sense of loss over the Grand National - and I know many of you feel the same
- Expensive barristers, BHA staffers, trainers and jockeys tied up for hours - all for the sake of a Class 4 handicap
- We're starting to move on from Cheltenham arguments - and that's dangerous if it means the big issue isn't fixed