NO EN PARTY
Shishkin to win Clarence House duel with Energumene
SHISHKIN is the choice to come out on top in a mouthwatering clash with Energumene for the SBK Clarence House Chase (3.35) at Ascot.
The two jumps stars come into the Grade 1 two-miler with unbeaten records over fences – so something has to give.
And, in a race to savour, it’s Shishkin who shades the verdict.
Nicky Henderson’s (right) eight-yearold was sent chasing last winter, having signed off over the smaller obstacles with a dramatic success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2020.
Shishkin quickly established himself as the next in line to the Seven Barrows maestro’s two-mile greats Remittance Man, Sprinter Sacre and
Altior with an unbeaten five-race campaign that included impressive scores in the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham and the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree.
A low-grade virus ruled Shishkin out of a planned return in Sandown’s Tingle
Creek Chase, and the son of
Sholokhov reappeared in the
Desert Orchid Chase at
Kempton two days after Christmas.
The way he smashed up Tingle Creek winner Greaneteen by 10 lengths showed Nico De Boinville’s mount to be at the peak of his powers.
Willie Mullins’ Energumene, ruled out of the Arkle on the eve of the race, has yet to taste defeat in five attempts over fences but has yet to cross swords with a horse of Shishkin’s calibre, and it is the home challenger who is preferred.
Harry Fry’s team are in rude health and PHOENIX WAY has plenty going for him in the bet365 Handicap Chase (2.55).
The nine-year-old hasn’t been an easy horse to get to the track, as evidenced by the fact he’s been limited to just nine starts in a career that began in November 2018.
But there’s no doubting Phoenix Way’s ability.
After a heavy defeat behind today’s rival Fanion D’estruval at Newbury in November, my selection tackled three miles in a big-money handicap chase on Ascot’s Long Walk Hurdle undercard a week before Christmas. Phoenix Way travelled strongly before finding Annsam too strong at the finish, but should be suited by coming back in distance and competes from the same BHA handicap mark of 140.
Dan and Harry Skelton have strong claims on a double, initiated by UNEXPECTED PARTY in the SBK Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (1.45).
A blunder at the final hurdle cost the grey victory when second to The Brimming Water at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Despite a 6lb rise in the weights, Unexpected Party can make amends.
The brothers can complete the brace with MOLLY OLLYS WISHES, who is taken to bounce back from a last-of-five defeat behind Buzz in Ascot’s Coral Hurdle in November by beating five rivals for the following Grade 2 SBK Mares’ Hurdle (2.20).