Shishkin storms to Desert Orchid victory on seasonal return at Kempton | Racing News

Shishkin made light work of the Grade Two Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, winning in fine style on his return.

Nicky Henderson’s Sporting Life Arkle hero had missed an intended outing in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown earlier in the season but barely put a foot wrong as the 4/9 favourite under Nico de Boinville.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Tingle Creek winner Greaneteen boxed on to be second under Bryony Frost, with front-runner Before Midnight well beaten off in the end, and the only other runner – Sky Pirate – struggling to ever get into the race.

Betfair and Paddy Power reacted by cutting Shishkin to 5/4 from 7/4 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.

More to follow…