Talking Horses: Shishkin can keep Gold Cup dream alive with Newbury success

Edwardstone can also get off the mark for the season by winning Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase

FESTIVAL PREP: Shishkin will bid to tee up a shot at the Cheltenham Gold Cup when he runs in Saturday's Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA 

Providing he consents to start, Shishkin should cement his status as the biggest British-trained threat to Galopin Des Champs in next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup by winning the Grade Two Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

To say Shishkin’s season to date has not gone to plan would be an understatement as he refused to jump off on his seasonal reappearance at Ascot in November, an act of defiance that meant he lined up in the King George on St Stephen’s Day without the benefit of a run.