SHISH THE COMEBACK KIN'

SHISHKIN patched up his tarnished reputation with a victory in the Denman Chase at Newbury, but divided bookmaker opinion over his chances in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

- DAVID YATES

A refusal to start at Ascot in November and a calamity at the second-last fence of the King George VI Chase at Kempton when leading left Nicky Henderson’s 10-year-old at something of a crossroads.

But Nico de Boinville’s mount did what was required to beat Hitman by four-and-a-quarter lengths.