'We'll wait for Aintree' - Pic D'Orhy and Fakir D'Oudairies connections lick wounds after Shishkin defeat

Shishkin again became a giant in the eyes of those connected to the vanquished horses at Ascot on Saturday as his air of invincibility was restored with an authoritative victory.

Defeat in last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase made many reconsider whether a horse who had carried all before him up to that point was actually as unstoppable as they had all thought.

A comprehensive beating in the Tingle Creek Chase on his reappearance convinced and emboldened them to believe Shishkin was no more than a yesterday horse. How wrong they were.