'His work was very, very good' - Shishkin set for Energumene clash at Ascot

Shishkin will take on fellow two-mile titan Energumene in a mouthwatering clash at Ascot next Saturday after Nicky Henderson confirmed he would take his chance in the SBK Clarence House Chase (3.35).

The news has prompted the eight-year-old's odds to shorten to a general 4-7 (from 6-4) for the Grade 1 prize, while Energumene is a 2-1 chance.

Saturday, January 22: Clarence House Chase card and betting

Henderson made the decision on Saturday to head to Ascot with Shishkin after watching him work in the morning, with the race with the race deemed the best option for his final run before the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

The trainer has won the Clarence House twice since it was made an open Grade 1, scoring with Seven Barrow greats Sprinter Sacre (2013) and Altior (2019).

"It was such thick fog this morning that they just went past in a flash, but it really was a flash and we're going to give it a green light," Henderson said.

"Nico was thrilled with him and, barring accidents during the week and all sorts of things that come and bite and haunt you, we're on. He was thrilled with him this morning.

"He will jump five fences [between now and next Saturday] but his work was very, very good. He's a heck of a lot lighter than when he came to Kempton last time and is back down to last year's weight. I'd like to think we're in good shape."

Shishkin: returned for the season with a dominant victory in the Desert Orchid Chase over ChristmasCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Willie Mullins-trained Energumene, meanwhile, recently landed the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork, bringing his winning streak to seven, including two Grade 1 victories last season.

The pair have unbeaten records stretching back to 2019, but it is Henderson's stable star who is rated higher. He achieved a Racing Post Rating of 175 with his Arkle success at last season's Cheltenham Festival and repeated it when a stylish ten-length win on return this season – Energumene reached 174 when bounding clear on his only appearance this season at Cork.

The first meeting of the pair was initially set to come in their novice chase season, in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. It was billed as one of the races of the meeting before Energumene was ruled out days before the race due to lameness. Shishkin won easily at odds of 4-9.

Shishkin then did not appear in the Tingle Creek to take on another top Mullins performer in Chacun Pour Soi. That runner finished a disappointing third, with the Paul Nicholls-trained Greaneteen coming out on top.

Henderson added: "You don't intend these clashes to happen before March but Shishkin is really well and you've got to run somewhere and this is where we're going to go.

"I like the timing better [than running at Newbury next month]; it gives me the chance to step back and then build up to the festival."

Champion Chase (March 16): racecard and betting

Henderson also confirmed exciting novice hurdler Jonbon was on target for the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial at Haydock on the same day.

The JP McManus-owned runner has made a flawless start at Seven Barrows, winning all three starts under rules and making an impressive debut in Graded company when landing the Howden Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle at Ascot in December.

"From what I could see he worked very well [this morning] and Nico was happy," the trainer said.

Henderson also worked Champ and Chantry House and appeared to be leaning towards the Cleeve Hurdle next for Champ, without completely ruling out switching back to fences.

"That's the probability but he's still got both options open," said the trainer.

Clarence House Chase betting

Paddy Power: 4-7 Shishkin, 2 Energumene, 7 First Flow, 10 Hitman, 16 Funambule Sivola

Read more:

'I should have checked' - trainer fined after buying wrong horse in sales mix-up

First Flow adds more spice to 'one of the races of the season' in Clarence House

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