Road to Cheltenham: Shishkin takes centre stage as all eyes turn to Doncaster for Cheltenham clues

Our man Harry Aitkenhead takes us through the latest market moves for Cheltenham

With Trials Day at Cheltenham falling foul of the weather over the weekend, it was Doncaster that took centre stage on Saturday.

Shishkin was the star of the show as the 2020 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner won again over fences with a slick victory in the Lightning Novices’ Chase.

Although facing only three horses in opposition, and being sent off the 1/7 favourite, our traders were still suitably impressed by the commanding display of jumping and slashed the odds on the Nicky Henderson-trained horse landing the Arkle to just 8/11 (from 4/5).

Energumene is the only other horse priced below 10/1 for that race at the Festival, at 6/1.

Elsewhere on the card at Doncaster, the surprise winner of the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle, The Cob, was introduced at 33/1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival for punters thinking lightning can strike twice.

One For The Team and Canelo disappointed in the SkyBet Handicap Chase and were eased to 16/1 and 20/1 respectively for the Ultima Handicap this spring.

Sunday’s action in Ireland saw Naas play host where the Willie Mullins trained Bachasson landed the Limestone Lad Hurdle and was cut by Coral’s compilers for the Stayers Hurdle into 33/1 (from 50/1).