Tingle Creek: 'If he's back to his best Shishkin's the one to beat'

Saturday: 2.55 Sandown
Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) | 1m7½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

The aura of invincibility that surrounded Shishkin prior to his Champion Chase flop has evaporated for the time being.

With Energumene 2-1 favourite – two points shorter than Shishkin – to retain his title in March, it will be difficult for Nicky Henderson's star to regain that aura.

However, if one accepts the Cheltenham defeat – his first over fences from eight attempts – was entirely due to a rare bone disorder which subsequently confined him to his box for two months, it is not impossible.

After all, many had lauded Shishkin as potentially even better than those two Henderson superstars, Sprinter Sacre and Altior, after impressively landing the 2021 Arkle.

Shishkin is even money with the sponsors Betfair to make a triumphant return and join Sprinter Sacre (2012) and Altior (2018) on the hallowed Tingle Creek roll of honour.

The fact he takes 50 per cent of the book at Sandown, despite facing two such richly talented rivals in Greaneteen and Edwardstone, is testament to a general acceptance that his Cheltenham defeat was merely a blip.

If Shishkin relights the flame on Saturday, Champion Chase odds of 4-1 will quickly become a thing of the past, and an entire sport will be refocusing on another head-to-head with Energumene.

Henderson is happy Shishkin is firmly back on track. "Everything is good with him. Nico [de Boinville] has ridden him quite a bit and he's said he's happy with him as am I.

"We've certainly had no recurrence of the problem after Cheltenham – it's all gone well at home. It's a Grade 1 so it's entitled to be very competitive, which it is. It's a great race and wide open, too."

Henderson added: "If he's back to his best he's the one to beat, but he's only been missing for one run. His form is solid, but he's got to put Cheltenham behind him. I hope he has and everything has been fine."

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Course form favours Greaneteen

Greaneteen might not be the likeliest winner of the Champion Chase – as odds of 20-1 suggest – but he's only 9-4 with Betfair to lift the Tingle Creek.

Those Sandown odds reflect the perception that Greaneteen is a much more effective performer round Esher than at Cheltenham.

If he is going to beat Shishkin in a Grade 1 chase, it is far more likely to be around his favourite venue in early December than at the festival in mid-March.

Greaneteen defeated Hitman by five and a half lengths in the Tingle Creek 12 months ago and has suffered just one defeat in four starts over Sandown's famous chase course, and that can probably be attributed to unsuitably soft ground.

His victims at the track also include Altior, and he will find underfoot conditions ideal on Saturday.

Factor in the likelihood that he is an improved performer this year – his seven-length defeat of Dolos under a welter burden of 11st 12lb in Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup last month can be marked up as a career-best – and Shishkin will need to be close to his best to beat him.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: "Greaneteen seems much better this year. His whole work this season has been much improved. He's only eight and has taken a step forward.

"It's a tough race. Shishkin and Edwardstone are formidable opponents. They are both very good horses.

"I couldn't be happier with Greaneteen, though. He's in good shape, will like the ground, and loves the track. There are no negatives to my knowledge."

What they say

Pat Fahy, trainer of Dunvegan
The track looks like it will suit him and the ground should be nice for us. He's in great form and we're hoping for the best with him.

Alan King, trainer of Edwardstone
It's not ideal starting back in such a big race, but we've had no other option really simply because the ground has been too quick at both Cheltenham and Ascot. He's in good order and I've been happy with his prep. Nicky Henderson kindly allowed us to take him to his place on Tuesday and he worked well on the Faringdon Road gallop. He had his final school on Monday morning so he's ready to go.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Funambule Sivola
It's a seriously competitive race. A bit more give in the ground might have helped. We'll see how he gets on.

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, owner of Gentleman De Mee
We thought he ran quite well at Naas and we're hoping he'll come forward from it. Willie [Mullins] seems very happy with him. Obviously it's a cracking race. He's a second-season novice being thrown in with the big boys. We're hoping for a big run from him.

Read more of Saturday's previews:

1.30 Aintree: 'We're confident in what we've seen at home' - Ahoy Senor on revival mission

1.45 Sandown: 'It's a Grade 1 so it's no giveaway' - Henderson on hot favourite Jonbon

2.05 Aintree: 'This has been the plan with him since March' - Becher Chase quotes and insight

2.20 Sandown: Love Envoi takes first step on path towards Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham

3.30 Sandown: 'We think there's plenty more to come from him' - key London National quotes

Fairyhouse: Can Champion Bumper star Facile Vega maintain unbeaten streak on hurdling debut?

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