Energumene remains on course for a Cheltenham Festival rematch with his Ascot conqueror Shishkin despite suffering a stone bruise in recent days.
The duo fought out the race of the season so far in the Clarence House Chase, with the Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin edging out Willie Mullins’ Energumene by a length after a prolonged battle up the Ascot straight.
The pair are set to cross swords again in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase on on Wednesday week, but Energumene drifted on the exchanges on Thursday, prompting concerns about his welfare.