Shishkin lowered the colours of Energumene in a classic Clarence House Chase as Saturday’s heavyweight feature lived up to the billing at Ascot.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin was sent off the 5-6 favourite and had to dig deep, surging past Willie Mullins’ charge to win by a length in a thrilling finish.
The two previously unbeaten chasers were going head-to-head for the first time, Shishkin having won last year’s Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival after connection were forced to pull Energumene out of the race with a minor injury.
Paul Townend and Energumene were allowed to have their own way on the front end and set out to make all as Shishkin failed to jump with his usual fluency under Nico de Boinville, making a bad mistake down the back straight.
Turning for home it appeared as if the Irish raider was in the box seat and he jumped the last with a length advantage but Shishkin rallied superbly, producing the kind of powerful finishing effort that evoked memories of legendary stablemate Altior in his prime, to retain his perfect record over fences.
De Boinville called the ovation as he led the triumphant Shishkin back into the winners’ enclosure the best he had received in his illustrious career.
“It was built up and it produced,” Henderson told ITV. “Two great horses. “They [De Boinville and Townend] said to each other going down the hill they were going flat to the boards.
“It looked as if we weren’t going as well but it proves he stays very well. They’ve both come home safe and sound, it was a great race.”
All being well, the pair will now head to Cheltenham to meet again in the Champion Chase, a race for which Shishkin was immediately cut into 1-2 favouritism by Betfair.
