Shishkin stays ahead of Energumene - and left-handed Cheltenham should help him

Given the level of his performance in winning last season's Arkle (RPR 175+), it always looked a case of when, rather than if, Shishkin would join illustrious former stablemates Sprinter Sacre (190) and Altior (183) in posting a figure in excess of 180 and he duly delivered in a thrilling running of Ascot's Grade 1 SBK Clarence House Chase.

With both he and the front-running Energumene (179), another to break the 170 barrier as a novice, putting their unbeaten records over fences on the line, Saturday's race looked ripe for producing a big figure and it didn't disappoint.

As with all races, the initial winning RPR of 181 is subject to review and revision and, with First Flow (165) a well-beaten third and rated 5lb below last year's winning mark, there is a case for rating the race a bit higher. However, even as it stands, Shishkin joins Master Minded in 2009 as the highest-rated winner of the race this century.