Sky's the limit as super Shishkin starts off down the Altior route at Kempton

Racing TV Beginners' Chase | 2m2f | 4yo+ | RTV

Four years after Altior set out on the path to chasing greatness, Shishkin makes his debut over fences in the same race at Kempton, with trainer Nicky Henderson describing him as the most thrilling chasing prospect he has had since the mighty two-time Champion Chase winner.

Altior struck in this event when it was a novice chase and went on to win that season's Arkle, for which Shishkin already heads the betting at a general 5-2.

Asked if Shishkin was the most exciting horse he had sent over fences since Altior, Henderson replied: "Yes. There hasn't been one of his calibre. But that was only four years ago, so we haven't had much time to find another – we're lucky one has come round as quick as this."

Joe and Marie Donnelly's imposing six-year-old gave notice of his talent when winning a bumper at Kempton the day after their Al Boum Photo had landed his first Cheltenham Gold Cup last year.

Shishkin fell on his first outing over hurdles at Newbury 11 months ago, but that soon became a distant memory as he won his next two starts before a thrilling victory under Nico de Boinville in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

"He's been good and it's a nice track to go to and a nice introduction," said the champion trainer, who also landed the race with Vaniteux (2015) and Brain Power (2017) and watched Supreme third Chantry House make a smooth start to chasing at Ascot on Friday.

"He's done lots of schooling and has been very good at it, but he's got to go and do it on the racecourse like any other horse. He's done nothing wrong, that's for sure. It's the same race Altior started in and I think Kempton's a nice place, while there was nothing at Newbury for him next weekend.

"I've spoken to [Kempton's clerk of the course] Barney Clifford and we'll just be checking the ground is all right. It's amazing how quickly our gallops at home have dried out, but Barney assures me it's good ground."

Nicky Henderson: trainer has used Kempton contest to good effectCredit: Edward Whitaker

Reflecting on Shishkin's dramatic festival triumph when he was fortunate to avoid a faller and was then hampered, Henderson – mindful of how some of his string are needing their first appearances this autumn – said: "Everything that possibly could have gone wrong did – rather like it is at the moment.

"He did remarkably well in the Supreme and he and Nico did an amazing job to get back into the race when you consider he was all but pushed into the car park.

"One or two of mine have needed their runs. Time Flies By, who ran at Ascot on Friday for instance, needed it badly, while there's no doubt Buzz, who admittedly ran well first time at Ffos Las, came on enormously for that to win on Friday."

Shishkin faces four rivals including Mick Pastor, a 137-rated four-year-old who fell on his chasing debut at Fakenham last month and useful novice hurdler Sangha River.

Read more:

Shishkin shows heart of a champion to win Supreme against all odds

'I badly wanted to get Shishkin - that's why I've got a face like a smacked bum'

Shishkin supplies Grade 1 success for a family with Cheltenham Festival history

Shishkin's got the lot - I've only seen two other horses do what he did'

Corky Browne: the man who ran Nicky Henderson's powerhouse stable for 41 years

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