Winner best-priced 5-4 for Festival target in MarchIwilldoit lands Welsh National gamble behind closed doorsShishkin’s delayed return to action proved to be well worth the wait here on Monday as last season’s Arkle Trophy winner maintained his unbeaten record in completed races over jumps with a 10-length defeat of Greaneteen – a Grade One winner himself this month – in the Grade Two Desert Orchid Chase.
Shishkin was getting some weight from his two main rivals in a four‑strong field and needed to be nudged along for a second or two by Nico de Boinville, his jockey, on the turn for home. Once he clicked up a gear, however, Shishkin powered away from his opponents in just a few strides and was soon in complete control.