Shishkin’s cheeky bid to rock rivals including the Paul Nicholls-trained Pic D’Orhy in the Nirvana Spa 1965 Chase at Ascot, as a stepping stone towards the King George at Kempton

Nicky Henderson says Shishkin is fit enough to do himself justice in the Nirvana Spa 1965 Chase at Ascot, despite admitting the Grade Two race is a stepping stone to the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The horse of Nico de Boinville, who won the Aintree Bowl in his first attempt at five kilometers in April, has been fitted with cheek pieces for the first time in a bid to sharpen his focus as he continues to build an unbeaten two-for-two record on the track defends.

Shishkin, who could have entered Haydock’s Betfair Chase, faces three rivals led by the Paul Nicholls-trained Pic D’Orhy, whom he defeated by 16 lengths when the pair battled over course and distance in the Ascot Chase in February collision occurred.

The clash between Henderson and Nicholls brings back memories of the epic 1965 edition of the Chase in 2019, when Altior was beaten by Cyrname in a race that left its mark on both runners. However, ground conditions will be very different on Saturday afternoon.

Henderson said: “I hate to say it’s a preliminary race, but it is – it’s the road to Kempton. But Nico says he’s already excited enough. He will be fitter than Altior that day. Last season he loved the 2m 5f here. I’m sure this is the right place to be. It would be pretty crazy to go to Haydock. It is really good soil and a splash of rain is not a problem.

Harry Cobden was instructed to ride Pic D’Orhy, instead of Bravemansgame, in the Betfair Chase

‘The cheekpieces will help him. I didn’t want to put them on for the first time at the King George. He trained in it and he was good, although I wouldn’t say it was excitingly different. It would be foolish to experiment in a King George. If things go well, we won’t take them down.’

Nicholls has instructed stable jockey Harry Cobden to ride Pic D’Orhy instead of his 2022 King George winner Bravemansgame in the Betfair Chase. The champion trainer believes his runner has solid claims to overturn his Ascot Chase defeat, saying: ‘He is brilliant, fresh and likes good ground, which is huge.

“When he ran here in the spring, he had had a few tough races and the ground was a little sticky. He was hired up front and it didn’t work for him. There are many little things that could be improved.

‘It’s very important that Harry rides him. He’s had a few falls and it’s not an easy ride, but Harry has built up a good relationship with him.’

Henderson was successful at Ascot on Friday with Doddiethegreat. It was the seven-year-old’s first run in two years after severing a tendon in his hind leg.

Doddiethegreat runs in the colors of Kenny Alexander, who owned two-time champion hurdler Honeysuckle. But his prize money will go to the MND foundation of the late Scottish rugby international Doddie Weir.

Graham Lee’s “movement has been affected” by the spinal injuries he suffered in a fall in Newcastle, the Injured Jockeys Fund confirmed on Friday. Grand National winner Lee has been taken out of intensive care and transferred to a hospital closer to his home in Middlesbrough, but he is still on a ventilator.