Shishkin set to run in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on Saturday as course faces prospect of freezing temperatures

Nicky Henderson confirmed on Wednesday morning that Shishkin will run in the BetMGM Rehearsal Chase (3.05) at Newcastle on Saturday a week after refusing to race at Ascot.

The nine-year-old, owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, whipped round and planted his heels at the start under Nico de Boinville in what was meant to be his intended prep for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

That left Henderson with a dilemma on where to run next, but he said on X that his 173-rated chaser would head to Newcastle on Friday with stable star Constitution Hill, who looks for back-to-back victories in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Henderson said: "Just to keep everybody informed, Shishkin will run in the Rehearsal Chase on Saturday. Everything is fine with him, and he’ll travel up to Newcastle on Friday with Constitution Hill."

Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville were left nonplussed at Ascot last weekendCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Shishkin, the winner of six Grade 1s, will carry top weight of 12st, giving at least 21lb to each of his rivals. However, his participation means that many of the opposition would be competing on unfavourable terms as they have to carry a minimum of 10st 2lb.

Prospects 'less rosy than a couple of days ago'

Newcastle faces freezing temperatures and possible snow in the build-up to Saturday and clerk of the course Eloise Quayle said on Wednesday that an inspection will more than likely be called before the seven-race card.

"At this stage we're looking a bit colder than originally forecast," Quayle said. "We're looking at -3C overnight on Thursday, daytime temperatures up to 3C on Friday and then overnight temperatures on Friday range depending on if we get snow. It could be between -1C and -4C depending on whether the snow forms.

"Daytime temperatures are expected to rise slowly up to a maximum of 2C, so it's looking less rosy than it was a couple of days ago.

"I think we'll see an inspection called, but at what stage I'm not sure just yet. We'll have another update on the forecast this afternoon and tomorrow morning, and we'll take it from there."

The going at Newcastle is soft, good to soft in places.

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