Nicky Henderson has not committed Shishkin to a certain race at the Cheltenham Festival, despite his odds shortening significantly for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
The six-year-old is 10/1 for The Festival opener with the sponsors Skybet after he ran out an impressive winner at Newbury on Wednesday.
When Nico de Boinville asked his mount to quicken to seal matters in the MansionBet Proud To Sponsor British Racing Novices' Hurdle, he pulled 11 lengths ahead of Shakem Up'Arry in short time.
"It was unfortunate when we came here the first time," said Henderson.
"Nico said funnily enough it's like he learnt something as he was quite gassy then and was trying to take the world on because he's enthusiastic as well.
"He was just too long at the first down the back whereas today he was beautifully relaxed and never touched a hurdle.
"It was all very smooth.
"Not many horses quicken up out of that (ground) so you would have to be impressed."
Shishkin and Shakem Up'Arry, a hurdler owned by Harry Redknapp, went off 7/4jf for the two-mile MansionBet Proud To Sponsor British Racing Novices' Hurdle, the second race on the card.
Henderson said the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle might come into the equation, once he has given the son of Sholokhov more experience by mid-February.
"He might just want two and a half," he said.
"We will see. We had better think about the Ballymore as well, I wouldn't promise it's the Supreme as another half might help him.
"I would like another run. It's his first run plus one hurdle. Mind you he was very professional.
"It's experience he wants. I'm not frightened to find a nice little race. He can go anywhere really."
Shishkin is around 20/1 for the Ballymore on March 11, a race for which the market is headed by one of the meeting 'bankers' for many, Envoi Allen.
He was also put in the Unibet Champion Hurdle by connections and featured among the 36 entries released today.
