Shiskin and Edwardstone declared for Tingle Creek

Nicky Henderson's Shishkin and the Alan King-trained Edwardstone have been declared among a field of six for Saturday's Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown, as well as two Irish horses.

Henderson and King had voiced doubts about the suitability of the quickish ground at the Esher venue earlier in the week, however, both have at least signalled their intent.

Just after 8am on Thursday, the going on the chase course was described as good, good to soft in places with selective watering taking place throughout the week.

Edwardstone has already missed two engagements this season because King felt the ground was too quick for his charge, while Shishkin is returning having pulled up in the Champion Chase when he was subsequently found to be suffering from a rare bone condition.

One horse who definitely runs is the Paul Nicholls-trained Greaneteen, last year's winner of the race and something of a Sandown specialist. He arrives having carried top weight to victory in the Haldon Gold Cup.

There is a strong Irish challenge in the shape of the Willie Mullins-trained Gentleman Du Mee, who beat Edwardstone at Aintree, and the Pat Fahy-trained Dunvegan.

In-form Venetia Williams has declared Champion Chase runner-up Funambule Sivola to make his seasonal debut.

Last season, the seven-year-old, who is owned by the My Racing Manager Friends syndicate, won the Game Spirit Case at Newbury before the 40-1 shot finished second to Energumene at Cheltenham.

Connections had hoped he would make his return sooner, but have been thwarted by the unseasonably dry autumn ground.

Elli Morgan, who runs the ownership syndicate, will fly back from the Caribbean to see the horse run and she said: "He totally deserves to be there, but it is a hot race.

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