Nicky Henderson intends to run Shishkin in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at the festival.

His likely opponents in the festival’s feature race will be last year's winner Fastorslow and the reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs.

Henderson said: "Shishkin? I would like to run him, yes.

"Look, he's 11 now and through mostly bad luck, and some bad behaviour I have to say, he hasn't had a tough year.

"He didn't start at Ascot (refused to race in Grade 2). His first run of the year was in the King George (unseated) where he tripped over his front foot, it was just bad luck. Ascot was bad behaviour.

"The Denman (Grade 2 victory at Newbury) was good then he couldn't come to Cheltenham. He's had a race at Aintree (fourth in Grade 1 Bowl) and I don't see why he shouldn't go on, I think he needs to."