SHISHKIN (155) collared the gallant Ahoy Senor (155) late in the Betfair Bowl and looks all set for a three-mile campaign, with the King George VI Chase an obvious mid-season target.

As impressive as the winner looked, the clock suggests victory was more about the runner-up stopping than Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old quickening.

The Joe Donnelly-owned gelding covered the ground from the cross fence in 69.2secs, which was just 0.4secs quicker than Dancing On My Own (151) who won the fiercely run Red Rum Chase.

The performance of the day over fences came from Banbridge (158+) who covered the final circuit 4.4secs quicker than the Bowl winner, including a finishing sectional of 65.2secs.

Stamina

Saint Roi (157+) tried in vain to reel in Joseph O’Brien’s gelding and did not lack for stamina on his first attempt beyond two miles over fences. Willie Mullins will no doubt make good use of the new door which his eight-year-old has opened next season.

Granted a good racing surface, the winner can take very high order in the chasing ranks at around this distance, while there are also grounds to suggest the seven-year-old will stay further. Ronnie Bartlett’s seven-year-old would be an interesting contender in the King George VI Chase if the ground were to be good at Kempton.