Three weeks ago, Nico de Boinville was in winning form right at the start of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
Shishkin overcame a troubled passage to win the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and looks a real star in the making.
De Boinville won the feature race of the meeting in 2015, the Gold Cup on Coneygree.
He narrowly missed out on winning this year's race, as Santini's late charge could not quite reel in 2019 hero Al Boum Photo.
Over the years, he has ridden some of Nicky Henderson's best horses, including Altior, whose unbeaten run stretched to 19 races.
Here de Boinville reveals how he is keeping busy during the coronavirus outbreak, as well as talking about life outside of racing:
It's Virtual Grand National day and you're riding Kildisart. What do you make of your chances?
Kildisart ran a massive race in the Ultima at Cheltenham and I would fancy him over the big fences at a nice racing weight. Ben Pauling tells me he's in great shape and he thinks Daryl has picked the wrong horse for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
What's your favourite Aintree memory?
My favourite Aintree memory has to be riding Whisper to win the Liverpool Hurdle back in 2015.
How many times have you ridden in the Grand National and what's it like?
I have ridden in the National three times. I haven't had much luck, falling at the first twice and one pull up. It's a great buzz. I remember falling, then jumping up and running back to the stands to cheer on my friend David Bass who came a close second on The Last Samurai. I was gutted for him.
Which horse of Nicky Henderson's would have had the best chance at the meeting had it unfortunately not been cancelled?
Beware the Bear has a great profile for the race and Jerry McGrath gets a good tune out of him.
How are you keeping busy at the moment?
I am helping out my wife on her Connemara Pony Stud and after a busy albeit short season, reconnecting with my daughter.
What will be the first thing you will do after lockdown?
Head back into Seven Barrows.
Have you taken up any new hobbies?
Creosoting.
Which track is your favourite and why?
Cheltenham. The ultimate test of a National Hunt horse.
What is your career highlight?
Winning the Gold Cup on Coneygree.
Which big race would you like to win?
The Champion Hurdle.
If you weren’t a jockey what would you be?
Food critic.
How do you keep fit?
Walking lots.
What is your favourite food?
A fellow jockey is vegan, he tries to convert the weighing room. It hasn't worked. Anything but vegan food.
Favourite sports star?
I'm in awe of F1 drivers. Tom Clarkson does a brilliant F1 podcast interviewing all the greats.
And favourite horse?
Sprinter Sacre- he started life at Seven Barrows a couple of months after I did
What do you listen to while driving?
Podcasts. Joe Rogan keeps my brain occupied.
Best concert you have been to?
Oasis at Wembley Stadium.
Favourite holiday destination?
South of France. I'm not exactly well travelled.
What are you afraid of?
Sleeping through my alarm.
Finally, a horse to follow for the next National Hunt season and why?
Shishkin has serious potential. Winning the Supreme is hard to do, he did it even after a seriously troubled passage round.
- Nico de Boinville is an ambassador for Unibet. His weekly blog throughout the jump season can be found here.
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