Grade Two Lightning Novices' Chase Guide

The seven year old since falling on his hurdles debut has shown bundles of ability and plenty of gears when it comes to finishing his races which have seen him land three contests in a row at Newbury, Huntingdon and of course Prestbury Park.

His win in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle has since been franked with the narrow second Abacadbras for Gordon Elliott since going on to land the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle, with third Chantry House and fourth Asterion Forlonge both going on to win on chase debut.

Shishkin could not be upstaged and on his first start over fences in November he showed the racing world just how good he is by pinging every fence and showing the turn of foot of last term, when just being nudged by Nico De Boinville and going away from the second placed Mick Pastor with ease.

Last time out he kept his outstanding unbeaten run going with another faultless round of jumping in the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton over Christmas and overall should have too much for this field again.

Eldorado Allen for Colin Tizzard has some of the strongest form in the book heading into the event, but should be no match for the favourite.

Having been a fair hurdler the six year old made his chase debut this term and got off to a winning start at Newton Abbott, seeing off the impressive Stormy Ireland.

He was then sent to Cheltenham for a Grade Two Novices' Chase last month and although being a tad fortunate with Gumball falling when leading, he went on to pick up the pieces and win the event by 19 lengths.

Tizzard then sent him to Sandown for the Grade One Henry VIII Novices' Chase and he was ultimately outclassed into fourth and he will have to be better than that in this.

Cheddleton for Jennie Candlish will be playing for the placings by the looks of it, being a smart horse in his own right but ultimately 13lb behind Shishkin on ratings.

Having been a fair horse over hurdles during his career, Candlish sent him chasing this term and he is kept his good form going by landing two of his three events.

Having blown the cobwebs away on chase debut at Uttoxeter behind Gumball and King Roland, he went on to frank the form at Carlisle next time out by landing a Beginners Chase by close to 10 lengths.

He backed that up last time out when landing a Novices' Chase by six lengths, seeing off Grade One winning hurdler Cornerstone Lad in heavy conditions.

He looks one of the most likely runners to challenge Shishkin, but the favourite should be too good.

Fast Buck for Paul Nicholls is an ex Willie Mullins horse that looked hard enough to train in Ireland and is now with Nicholls, still looking a tricky customer.

Having showed very little talent over flights, Nicholls stepped him up to fences this term and he made his debut at Hereford when falling close home.

He looked to just be making his challenge that day and with all fine with the horse was quickly turned around and managed to finish second behind rival Est Illic over course and distance.

He needs a career best to go close here off current form.

Est Illic holds close form with Fast Buck but that unfortunately does not look good enough in this event and he will have had to come on a fair bit for that win over course and distance.

The gelding has been in good form over fences this term winning both his events to date, winning a Handicap Chase at Bangor on seasonal debut and just getting up in the final stages over course and distance last time out.

Seems to be pitched into this race more on hope than expectation and may be one for lesser contests in the future.