Nicky Henderson is contemplating operating Shishkin within the rearranged Combating Fifth Hurdle at Sandown subsequent Saturday.
The Seven Barrows handler is keen to get a King George VI Chase prep run into his a number of Grade One scorer, after refusing to race at Ascot within the 1965 Chase and likewise seeing a deliberate run within the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle misplaced to the climate.
A scarcity of choices over fences has now seen Henderson toy with the thought of reverting Shishkin to the smaller obstacles, in addition to dropping again to 2 miles, for the rearranged Grade One which reopens on Monday.
That may after all pave the way in which for Structure Hill – who additionally missed out on an outing at Newcastle – to move straight to Kempton on Boxing Day for the Christmas Hurdle, though the coach is but to finalise plans with the unbeaten celebrity’s proprietor Michael Buckley.
“Michael is coming down here and we will talk and we have to consider the timing,” stated Henderson, talking at Newbury. “Shishkin was the horse I actually wished to run, I can’t imagine he would win a King George first day out.
“He is received to attempt to have a run and I’ve a bit thought. He might need to return and have a run over hurdles as a result of there are not any chases to run in. Three miles can be too far in what is likely to be hard-work floor and I am pondering of coming again into the Combating Fifth as a result of that reopens on Monday.
“I wouldn’t worry about Constitution Hill first time out.”
Nico de Boinville celebrates profitable the Champion Hurdle on Structure Hill
Each Structure Hill and Shishkin have been left with the prospect of nowhere to put their head having deserted their journey to Gosforth Park simply south of the north east on Friday.
Nevertheless, Henderson revealed he was inundated with gives after his attraction on tv, with the high-class duo ultimately bunkering down at Doncaster racecourse in a single day.
Newcastle’s monitor was buried underneath a blanket of snow on Saturday morning
“They had a stay in Doncaster last night, but I don’t think they went down to the hotel for a few pints,” quipped Henderson. “The camaraderie of racing was at its best as soon as I said on television I was looking for a stable and had two horses with no bed, the people who came forward were unbelievable.
“Ann Duffield rang me from Barbados, Doncaster rang me, Hexham rang me, Karl Burke rang me. It was unbelievable and I may have gone Malton, Middleham, anyplace.
“The one condition was I got the horses back in the morning!”
