Shishkin odds-on for 1965 Chase success
Published:
Shishkin is 4/6 favourite in Coral’s 1965 Chase betting odds as he sets out on what trainer Nicky Henderson hopes will be a fruitful staying campaign at Ascot on Saturday.
So brilliant at his best over two miles, the decision was taken to go over further immediately after he finished third in last year’s Tingle Creek at Sandown – his first start since being pulled up in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham that March, after which he was subsequently found to be suffering from a rare bone condition.
He looked magnificent in beating Pic D’Orhy in the Ascot Chase in February (pictured below) and did little wrong when second to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase, before taking the plunge over three miles and a furlong at the Grand National meeting, staying on strongly to account for Ahoy Senor.
Henderson has his sights on the King George at Christmas, but first Shishkin must pass this two-mile-five-furlong reappearance test, where he again meets the Paul Nicholls-trained Pic D’Orhy.
“He’s in very good form. Nico (de Boinville) is happy with him, the timing is right and he’s done everything right,” said the master of Seven Barrows, who also had the option of going for the Betfair Chase with the nine-year-old.
“Pic D’Orhy is coming to Ascot and we will take on Bravemansgame later (in the King George).
“He showed us at Aintree he’s a stayer, it took him a long time to pick up Ahoy Senor. You can’t win a King George with a doubtful stayer, but he’s proved he does (stay).”
Although second best to Shishkin over course and distance earlier in the year, Pic D’Orhy would end his campaign with a decisive victory in the Melling Chase at Aintree. He has Ditcheat stable jockey Harry Cobden on board for his return to action and is second favourite at 13/8 in the 1965 Chase betting odds.
Donald McCain’s 11/1 shot Minella Drama was a bronze medallist behind Pic D’Orhy in the spring and also performed well on Merseyside on his seasonal bow when second in the Old Roan Chase.
The field of four is rounded off by 40/1 outsider Straw Fan Jack, who was set some lofty targets at the business end of last season and continues to have his sights aimed high by trainer Sheila Lewis.
Coral’s David Stevens said: “Shishkin v Pic D’Orhy in the 1965 Chase brings back memories of Altior v Cyrname in this race four years ago, when the former was sent off odds-on favourite for Nicky Henderson, but was ultimately denied by the second favourite running in the pink and blue silks of Johnny De La Hey.”
1965 Chase betting odds
4/6 Shishkin
13/8 Pic D’Orhy
11/1 Minella Drama
40/1 Straw Fan Jack
All odds and market correct at date of publication
