Greaneteen will attempt to make it a 13th win for trainer Paul Nicholls when he defends his Betfair Tingle Creek Chase title at Sandown on Saturday.
The eight-year-old was a stunning 12/1 winner in the two-mile race last time when the favorite Chacun Pour Soi rolled, but the Nicholls sprinter is set to make a good run this time, as he wants. fourth win in Grade One on his favorite track.
Greaneteen, who has also won the Celebration Chase for the past two years, has the highest ranking of 171 entering the race after another impressive display at Exeter last month, when he defied heavy weight in the Haldon Gold Cup to win. Seven lengths beating stablemate Dolos.
Nicholls saddled Kauto Star, Twist Magic, Master Minded and Politologue to win two Tingle Creeks and is confident Greaneteen can give owner Chris Giles another thrill by adding his name to the winning list.
He said: “His performance has been a lot better than last year. He’s a very improved horse and he ran as well as he did (at Exeter). What we thought – he was very good this year.
“It’s a great race to win, we’ve had some lovely horses that have won it over the years and it’s a race we look at and do well. Sandown is a great jumping track, horses need to jump and stay there so you need the right horse and to be with him on the day.
Greaneteen made every pitch as they also secured the Betway Haldon Gold Cup in Exeter earlier this season
“Our touch wood seems to be in good shape this year, they seem to have improved and the way they run – I just hope Greaneteen can build on that and finish 13th.
“It was Chris’s lifelong desire to win Tingle Creek and last year was a day he will never forget. Nobody liked him, but I did.
“He had to run badly in the Haldon Gold Cup last year because he had a few problems, but I had a month to get him right and he won the race well. run in the race this year.”
What appears to be an interesting reformation, Shishkin returns to action for the first time since riding in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.
After winning with Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January, a second round was expected at the Festival – but jockey Nico de Boinville called time after the eighth fence and it later transpired that his fall was due to osteoporosis. .
Nicky Henderson is said to be glowing at home, and hopefully he is ready to put on a great show again.
Nico De Boinville and Shishkin are in action after winning the Clarence House Chase
He said: “I think he looks fantastic, his training has been as smart as ever, he jumped 10 fences on Wednesday, Nico is very pleased with him, he rides him in most of his work and Jayden, who rides him all day – today, thinks he feels good.
“There seems to be a lot of confidence from Ditcheat (nearly Greaneteen) – which I respect – but you have to go back and believe that we have Shishkin who ran at Ascot in this big fight with Energumene last year. That was the race of the season. If he gets back there then he will be a very competitive .
“I can’t guarantee you, obviously he had a big problem after Cheltenham, but I believe that’s behind us because everything has gone well.
“There’s definitely a change coming, it’s his first run since March. A lot of our guys have come back a little bit, but he’s starting to win first time now so I’m hoping. But it’s going to be a big test.”
Biography of Alan King EdwardstoneArkle winner in March, is another leading player along with his Aintree winner Gentleman De Meewho represents Willie Mullins.
Pat Fahy has the second championship to train in Ireland abroad Dunveganand Venetia Williams-educated Tightrope walker Sivola complete selection of the sextet.
