The Nicky Henderson trained Shishkin has lived up to a heavy 4/9 favourites tag to win the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham.
Last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Shishkin was an easy victor, pulling clear of Allmankind and Captain Guinness two fences out, and coasting over the final pair of jumps under the mount of Nico de Boinville.
Eldorado Allen was a valiant runner-up for Colin Tizzard and Harry Cobden, while Captain Guinness took third for Henry de Bromhead's yard, ridden by Rachael Blackmore.
Captain Guinness and Allmankind had set a quick pace early out, with Shishkin ridden along in third. And despite overstepping a jump five-fences out, he moved up alongside the leaders three from home, before claiming the lead at the second last.
The Shishkin victory is a 7th Arkle success for legendary trainer Nicky Henderson, two more than any other trainer in the history of the sport.
It was a second odds-on favourite in a row to win handsomely on the opening day of the 2021 festival, after Willie Mullins and Paul Townend teamed up to guide Appreciate It to a 5/6 victory in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle; the same race Shishkin claimed 12 months ago.
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