Superstar Shishkin is out to land the Cheltenham Festival hat-trick in the Champion Chase.
The Ladies Day feature, sponsored by Betway, sees Nicky Henderson's race favourite renew rivalry with Energumene. Just a length separated them at Ascot in their first encounter – and Shishkin thrives at Prestbury Park. With wins in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Arkle on his record, racing fans fully expect him to hit the target once again.
His trainer and jockey Nico de Boinville have already landed a double at the meeting, which began on Tuesday. Constitution Hill charged home to impress the pundits in the opener before outsider Maries Rock prevailed against her fellow mares. Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore made the headlines with back-to-back triumphs in the Champion Hurdle.
Champion Chase: Guide to the key runners and latest Betfred odds
Shishkin 10-11- Officially the highest-rated chaser (177) in Britain and Ireland and is a perfect 7-7 over fences. Got up late to deny Energumene in a thrilling renewal of the Ascot Chase despite not getting into the same jumping rhythm as main rival. Already won at two Cheltenham Festivals and is going to be extremely hard to stop back on his favourite turf.
Energumene 100-30 - Had the run of the race when beaten by Shishkin so hard to see him reversing that form on a track that is going to play much more to his rival's strengths than his own. However, is clearly a high-class chaser and his ability to travel and jump powerfully o the front end could have most of his rivals in trouble by the top of the hill in Champion Chase. Question is, can he repel the finishers at the business end? We'll soon find out.
Chacun Pour Soi 6-1 - Only rated 1lb inferior to Shishkin and is the best two-mile chaser in Ireland on his day. However, has let favourite backers down both times he's come over to England, including when fading up the hill in the 2021 renewal of this. Trainer has said that he has prepared the horse differently this time but the evidence so far is that he's not the same horse away from Ireland and he'll need to be at the peak of his powers to stop Shishkin.
Nube Negra 12-1 - Beaten just half a length in the 2021 Queen Mother Champion Chase and has been campaigned with this race as his main target all winter. Seen to best effect when coming off a strong pace and is likely to get the perfect set-up, so is a big each-way player.
Odds for the rest of the field: 18-1 Envoi Allen, 22-1 Put The Kettle On, 33-1 Funambule Sivola, 66-1 Politologue
Verdict
It's almost impossible to oppose SHISHKIN who, barring accidents, looks a good thing to bag a third Cheltenham Festival success to his CV. He is so powerful at the end of his races that the Cheltenham hill plays to his strengths and he can once again run down Energumene. Nube Negra should get the race run to suit and looks the safest each-way play for those looking for a bet at bigger odds.
1-2-3 prediction
1. Shishkin 2. Engergumene 3. Nube Negra
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