Shishkin doubles up in Wayward Lad Triumph

Altior. Simonsig. Sprinter Sacre. All three have taken the Wayward Lad at Christmas for Nicky Henderson en-route to Arkle victory at the Festival in March. And that three may become four in a few months as the new star novice chaser inmate at Seven Barrows Shishkin followed in their hoofprints to take the Grade 2 at Kempton Park

A cosy 1/3F Favourite to make it 2 out of 2 over the larger obstacles after a superb display at the track last month, he only had a few moments of concern for his supporters as he bolted up under a motionless Nico De Boinville.

Gumball and Richard Johnson took the quartet on for the two mile trip, with the market leader settled three lengths behind. Going down the side of the course and just after the first of the ditches Nico just crouched a little lower in the saddle, having to roust his mount along for a few strides to go up to eyeball Gumball, who was having a good sight at his fences.

At four out Shishkin put in a short stride and Nico had to roust him along again, but turning into the home straight he had not just got up alongside the long time leader, he had passed him, and took up the running at 3 out.

Gumball folded after this, not being able to live with the pace when the tempo increased after his early work. Tamaroc Du Manthan went second and attempted to make a race of things under Harry Cobden towards two out. However, after sailing over two out Nico took a long look to his right and saw his closest rival was barely able to raise a challenge, being comfortably held by his mount who was breezing up towards the last.

A good jump at the last sealed the victory and Shishkin galloped across the line to record a very easy, taking victory by 13 lengths. Tamaroc Du Manthan was second, with Elusive Belle coming home in third.

Speaking afterwards to media present at the course and for the many on Zoom, Nico De Boinville was very philosophical about the performance of his mount, who looks to be a star in ascendance.

“They went a right gallop at the start, and I was happy to sit off at his back. It was a Grade 2 pace, so it was going to find anyone out who isn’t at that level”.

On being asked about his previous race over fences at the course a month earlier compared to now, he said he went “a stride quicker and a lot sharper” than his debut. “The team at home had him in great shape”.

“He’s versatile ground wise. It was deep today”.

“It’s hard work”.

Nico did not sound too perturbed if any of his rivals had tried to make a race out of it. “I would have found some more gears if something had come to challenge me, he would have found a few more gears”.

The only question mark on his jumping had been at the fourth last, which Nico put it down to the prevailing sun. He declared it was “very, very low down the back, he got me out of trouble”.

“They went a good gallop, and not much time to give him a breather”.

Naturally, assumptions and comparisons have been made to his imperious stablemate Altior, and to the likes of Sprinter Sacre, both of which Nico has won Champion Chases aboard. Upon the receipt of these questions, Nico simply replied “I don’t like to compare top class. Just have to see how they progress, like Altior.

Shishkin’s future plans appear to be fluid towards a tilt at the Sportingbet.com Arkle, and even further afield is coming under consideration. “Probably stick to two, but who knows what will happen in the future ( a view towards going up in trip )”.

“All options are on the table”.

“He’s incredibly quick in the air and to get his landing gear down on the ground and he’s away. He almost hurdles his fences, he’s very quick away”.

He finished his interview by praising the team at Seven Barrows for getting him to the race in such lovely condition. He stated that Shishkin “looked an absolute picture in the parade ring”.

On future plans, he declared that the team plan “another run into him and off to the Festival”. He didn’t mention which race meeting it would be, but races such as the Game Spirit or the Kingmaker at Warwick would come to mind.

“We will have to see”.