Shishkin 1/2 From 10/11 As Energumene Misses Arkle
Shishkin has strengthened his status as favourite for the Arkle after it was revealed that main rival Energumene has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer Willie Mullins confirmed on Friday morning that the Irish Arkle winner had suffered a setback in preparations and will miss the showdown having been a close 2/1 second favourite.
BoyleSports have cut Shishkin into 1/2 from 10/11, with Allmankind now the second favourite at 4/1 from 13/2 and Captain Guinness an 8/1 shot from 14/1.
Paisley Park has also shortened to regain his Stayers’ Hurdle crown after Thyme Hill was confirmed as another high-profile absentee on Friday. The pair had been joint 3/1 favourites, but Paisley Park is now a 15/8 sole favourite ahead of Sire Du Berlais (9/2 from 7/1).
Irish trainers are still heavily expected to get the better of their counterparts across the Irish sea in the battle for the Prestbury Cup, but they have been eased slightly to 1/4 from 1/5, with the British trainers 4/1 from 5/1 to win back the bragging rights.
Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “Energumene’s absence has robbed us of a highly anticipated showdown and it looks like Shishkin is going to be one of the bankers of the week now in the Arkle. We’ve gone 1/2 from 10/11 and he’s one we’re already seeing appearing in more and more multiples.”
Arkle Chase
1/2 Shishkin
4/1 Allmankind
8/1 Captain Guinness
11/1 Franco De Port
20/1 Blackbow
25/1 Felix Desjy
25/1 Darver Star
33/1 bar
Stayers’ Hurdle
15/8 Paisley Park
9/2 Sire du Berlais
5/1 Roksana
15/2 Flooring Porter
8/1 Vinndication
9/1 The Storyteller
9/1 Lisnagar Oscar
12/1 bar
