Racing Post analyst Graeme Rodway told What A Shout that Shishkin is 'a great horse' as he predicted a redemptive Tingle Creek outing for Nicky Henderson's star.
On this week's What A Shout, host Dave Orton was joined by jockey Jonathan Burke, Racing Post tipster Rodway, and bet365's Pat Cooney, as they preview the racing from Sandown and Aintree this weekend.
The Tingle Creek and Becher Chase are some of the feature races the panel discussed ahead of a busy Saturday of racing.
We've picked out some highlights from this week's edition of What A Shout in association with bet365.
Rodway expects to see Shishkin shine
The Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase is the feature race at Sandown at 2.55. Shishkin makes his return to action in what will be his first run since being pulled up in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Shishkin is 11/10 to prevail on his seasonal reappearance and Graeme Rodway is backing him to defeat the defending champion Greaneteen (2/1) and the Arkle winner Edwardstone (6/1).
He said: "He is a great horse who has one poor run on his record. There are plenty of exceptional runs on there. I just don't buy this argument that he is gone. He was beaten by the second fence at Cheltenham, so he was clearly not right that day.
"If he is over his issues, which you have to believe he is with Nicky Henderson happy to run him, he will win this race.
"He is different gravy to this lot in this field. I tipped up Geaneteen in the Tingle Creek last year, and obviously, that worked out well. He is a very good horse at Sandown, but Shishkin is a superstar and I think he is going to have too much class."
Grand Sefton runner-up to go one better in Becher
The Becher Handicap Chase will see a field of 23 runners take on the Grand National fences at Aintree at 2.05. Gesskille (6/1) stayed on strongly in the Grand Sefton over a shorter trip of 2m5f last month and Rodway is confident that this horse will improve for the extra distance in this race.
He said: "He stays further than the 2m5f Grand Sefton trip, so I expect him to improve in this race. We know he goes around the track and jumps the fences fine. He is more lightly raced than most runners in this field. There is a lot to like about him so I am looking no further."
Dave Orton meanwhile made a case for Fortescue, who won the Swinley Chase at Ascot back in February. He is 25/1 to come out on top in the 3m2f contest.
He said: "I love how this horse quickened away from the field at Ascot when he beat Fiddlerontheroof. He just looked class that day. I think this horse is a future Grand National contender.
"The ground is going to be fine for him and I fancy him to run a big race at a massive price."
Burke places target on Jonbon
Jonbon was one of the leading novice hurdlers last season. He has already made an impressive start to his chasing career with a win at Warwick last month, and as a result, he is the early 2/1 favourite for the Arkle Trophy at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival in March.
Nicky Henderson's chaser is bidding to score in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown at 1.45.
One of the contenders to take down the favourite is 10/3 Boothill who will be ridden by this week's What A Shout special guest Johnny Burke. He told the panel about the task he faces.
"Jonbon is a very good horse. You could not find any faults in his performance at Warwick. That is a stiff test of jumping and he passed it with flying colours. Of course, there is going to be a target on his back for me," he said.
"My lad won nicely at Ascot last time out. He is over his injuries now, and he is on an upward curve. It is going to be a tall ask to beat Jonbon, but I certainly feel we can give him a fright."
Rodway was full of praise for Jonbon's chase debut at Warwick last month and he thinks he will maintain his perfect start over fences.
He said: "He was very impressive first time out over fences in that race at Warwick. A repeat of that performance will most likely be enough here."
Ahoy Senor to produce at Aintree again
Grade 1-winning novice Ahoy Senor returns to Aintree for the Many Clouds Chase (1.30) and he is 11/8 to prevail once again at the Merseyside course. Rodway is backing him to come out on top despite his poor effort on his seasonal reappearance in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase.
"I think Ahoy Senor will win. The problem with him, he can throw in the odd bad run, as we saw at Wetherby in the Charlie Hall Chase. He was really disappointing in that race.
"As Lucinda Russell told us on this show, he pulled hard that day, which obviously, did not help his chances in the second half of the contest. She was bullish about his chances and so am I."
