Shishkin needed to work onerous earlier than getting his first win of the season and put himself nicely in competition for subsequent month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Nicky Henderson-trained horse had unseated jockey Nico de Boinville at Kempton final trip after refusing to race in his season-opener at Ascot.

However the 8-11 favorite outstayed each Hitman and Protektorat to land the Denman Chase at Newbury.

“What we noticed as we speak was a stepping stone to the Gold Cup,” stated De Boinville.

“There may be undoubtedly extra to come back.”

There had been questions of the 10-year-old after the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, the place he stumbled after the second-last when wanting a possible winner.

However this time he began easily and other than a minor error early on, he tracked chief Protektorat for a very long time, then took the lead on the second-last and went on to win by four-and-a-quarter lengths.

“He’s a incredible horse however he simply takes a little bit of understanding,” the successful jockey instructed ITV Racing. “It was good to atone for Boxing Day.

“He galloped to the road and it was a case of preserving him and blissful.”

Henderson, who gained the race for the third time, admitted he was relieved.

“I feel this race will do him lots of good. He wanted the run,” he stated

“Aside from one fence he jumped nice. We’re accountable for him now and he’s behaving our method.”

De Boinville and Henderson made it a double with victory for 11-2 shot Iberico Lord within the Betfair Hurdle forward of L’eau Du Sud, Go Dante and Doddiethegreat.

Edwardstone cruised to victory within the Sport Spirit Chase for jockey Tom Cannon and coach Alan King.

The 11-10 favorite gained by 40 lengths from the one different finisher Funambule Sivola, with Boothill falling two from house and Amarillo Sky pulled up by jockey Joe Tizzard.