1.55 1m. 7f. 199yds. 5 Declared. Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £131,250.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €73,854.00 2nd - €27,825.00 3rd - €13,926.00 4th - €6,956.00 5th - €3,491.00 6th - €1,746.00 7th - €866.00 8th - €446.00
FormscanBy Mark Nunan - SHISHKIN would have been the choice even with Energumene in the field but the late defection of the latter makes him an even more confident selection. Last year’s Supreme winner has impressed in all three starts over fences, readily accounting for Eldorado Allen in his most recent outing at Doncaster. With the likelihood of a strong gallop, Shishkin has the cruising speed to keep tabs on the leaders and can prove too strong for his rivals in the closing stages. The free-running Allmankind is likely to be prominent and is respected on his Grade 1 win at Sandown but he will need to jump more fluently than he did at Warwick last month. Captain Guinness, a faller two out when still in touch with Energumene at Leopardstown last month, may prove best of the Irish ahead of Franco De Port who finished a well-beaten second in that same contest.