People are making too much of the mistake he made at Ascot. All he did was peck on landing early in the race.
The pace was pretty normal between 28mph and 31mph and he was going well within himself and under no presssure.
You can rfresh your memory, the race is there for anyone to see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6088w8Sqnw&t=203s
His problems are he hits a flat spot just about every time he runs and he tends to jump slightly left at some fences
As Cheltenham is left handed he shouldn't have a problem there but if one of the Irish pair sets a slow pace then suddenly steps on the gas at the top of the hill
the sudden injection of pace might catch Shishkin out and one of them could be home and hosed before he gets going.
However looking back at his Arkle he took a leaf out of Sprinters book and he was the one who went early
and flew down the hill hitting 35pmh and won by 10 lengths ..as an odds on shot should.
Ofcourse the opposition is much tougher and Nico will have to keep tabs on them both which is easier said than done
IMO he has got to be challenging for the lead as far as 3 out and be hitting top gear.
If he tries to be clever and hold him up until before the last he will be at risk of beaing beaten.
As far as the market goes I agree it's all wrong and it's a safe bet you'll get evens on the day.
once we know all 3 run with the weight of Irish money coming into play..