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Shishkin’s delayed return to action proved to be well worth the wait here on Monday as last season’s Arkle Trophy winner maintained his unbeaten record in completed races over jumps with a 10-length defeat of Greaneteen – a Grade One winner himself this month – in the Grade Two Desert Orchid Chase.
Shishkin was getting some weight from his two main rivals in a four‑strong field and needed to be nudged along for a second or two by Nico de Boinville, his jockey, on the turn for home. Once he clicked up a gear, however, Shishkin powered away from his opponents in just a few strides and was soon in complete control.
