THE headlines after the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase were all about the defeat of Nicky Henderson’s Altior, but the idea that the favourite’s failure to win represented some sort of mystery to be solved doesn’t match the events. The 10-year-old was typically wasteful at his fences, and his tendency to spend too long in the air is an issue which has been ignored for too long.

There was a suggestion after the race that he had scoped dirty, but his trainer was at pains to play that down, for all he felt there was something to be investigated.

The fact is that Altior did not jump or travel as well as the reappearing Nube Negra (Dan/Harry Skelton), and that horse, who was second in both the Scilly Isles at Sandown and the Kingmaker at Warwick last season, is simply an exciting chaser when the emphasis is firmly on speed, as it was for his first two wins as a novice.

The 20/1 shot was always moving well here, and his rider was at pains to ask for his effort as late as possible, an error at the last when already in control his only blemish, and he had more in hand than the final margin of three and a half lengths over the former champion chaser, with the front-running Duc De Genievres (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) third of the four finishers.

It’s something of a novelty having a Spanish-bred chaser featuring prominently on the jumping scene, although some oldies will remember the Duque d’Albuquerque’s Nereo from yesteryear.

It’s been reported that Nube Negra (Black Cloud in Spanish) will head straight to the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and he’s a credible challenger for all he’ll have to prove he can be as effective at the stiffer track at Cheltenham.

Altior will be aimed at the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury next month, where he beat Sceau Royal (an early faller here) last season. He is capable of winning again with the opposition unlikely to be top class, but he’s become more reliant on his finishing kick as his supposedly brilliant jumping has become a liability at the highest level, and it’s hard to see him regaining his crown in March as a result.

NICKY Henderson suffered a few reverses over the festive period, but Shishkin (Nico de Boinville) gave him plenty to smile about when justifying odds of 1/3 in some style in the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase.

Last season’s Supreme winner has taken very well to fences, and was more fluent than his main rivals as he scored a facile 13-length success over Tamaroc De Mathan (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden).

Thanks to Gumball, the race was run at an honest gallop despite the small field, and Shishkin produced a fast time for the conditions – over 2.5 seconds faster than the Desert Orchid run over the same course and distance just over an hour later, in fact, and with the winning time in no way flattering, Shishkin has already reached a level good enough to win the Arkle in most seasons.

This race has been won by Henderson stars Simonsig, Sprinter Sacre and Altior in recent seasons, and Shishkin compares favourably with that trio at the same stage of his career, which is high praise indeed.

Tamaroc Du Mathan jumped soundly in the main, but was no match for the winner. He’s been left on a mark of 141 by the handicapper, and it may pay to stick to handicaps with him.

Neither Elusive Belle nor Gumball showed their very best form, and that pair are capable of better, while not looking in the same class as the brilliant winner.