The presence of Shishkin in Saturday’s Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle would be welcomed by multiple trainers – and not because of the chance that he will refuse to race.

The Nick Alexander-trained Elvis Mail could shoulder top weight if Nicky Henderson chooses not to send Shishkin to Newcastle alongside stable star Constitution Hill, but he would only carry 10st 1lb if the Aintree Bowl winner turns up.

"I'd love him to be running with 10st 1lb on his back. He's well and ready to run again and he'd certainly be running if that was the case," said Alexander.

"If the top-weight doesn't run and the next two [Ga Law and Datsalrightgino] were to run at Newbury and he was to end up with top-weight, then I wouldn't be certain."

The nine-year-old gelding made a successful return to action in the Edinburgh Gin Chase at Kelso in late October, which was his fifth victory at the Scottish track.

"He'll probably run anyway. He won very nicely at Kelso, we were delighted with him and he's been great since, so fingers crossed he's still great on Saturday.

"He likes a galloping track and has run well at Doncaster.

"He doesn't want holding ground, so he could do with them getting a snow shower or something, just to keep it on the wetter side. He likes decent ground as well, so he should be fine.

"I'm very much looking forward to running him."