Shishkin and Energumene on course to meet in Queen Mother Champion Chase

The highly anticipated rematch between Shishkin and Energumene remains a possibility after the pair were among ten left in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase following the confirmations for day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

Shishkin, who defeated Energumene in a thrilling Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January, looks set to bid to confirm his superiority over his rival and give Nicky Henderson a record seventh win in the race, but faces a formidable team from the Willie Mullins yard, which also includes last year's beaten favourite Chacun Pour Soi.

Last year's heroine Put The Kettle On could be set to defend her crown while Nube Negra, who finished second 12 months ago, is on course to attempt to go one place better.

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Tingle Creek Chase winner Greaneteen was the most notable star to be taken out as well as stablemate Hitman, with 2020 champion Politologue set to be the sole runner for Paul Nicholls, while Sceau Royal and First Flow were among the others to be removed at the latest entry stage.

A thrilling three-way clash between Galopin Des Champs, Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor could still be on with the trio among 17 confirmed for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, which also includes Scilly Isles Novices' Chase winner L'Homme Presse. Bob Olinger was a notable omission at Thursday's confirmation stage.

The Willie Mullins-trained Sir Gerhard and Dysart Dynamo have both retained their option of contesting the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle and feature among 18 confirmations, having been among the Supreme confirmations on Wednesday.

Constitution Hill and Jonbon now have just one festival option – the Supreme – having been taken of the Ballymore.

Should Sir Gerhard and Dysart Dynamo take up their engagement in the Ballymore they could come up against Challow Hurdle winner Stage Star, with Harry Cobden already booked for the ride.

Ante-post favourite Good Risk At All was among 55 left in the Coral Cup, while Tiger Roll could potentially bid to end his career in perfect style with a sixth victory at the Cheltenham Festival and third in the Cross Country Chase after being among 21 left in the race.

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Elixir De Nutz, who was taken out of Tuesday's Sporting Life Arkle, could contest the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase instead, which also includes last year's winner Sky Pirate and ante-post favourite Buddy Rich.

Leading British contender Brave Seasca was the most notable absentee, indicating he is in line to take his place in the Arkle.

Facile Vega and American Mike – two of Ireland's leading bumper hopes – look set to take each other on in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, which also features Facile Vega's stablemate Redemption Day among the 25 confirmations.

At this stage, field sizes for three races are up compared to last year, while three are down and one – the Coral Cup – is level.

Among the races in which confirmations are down, the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase are one horse shy compared to last year when 19 and 11 were confirmed, while the Grand Annual is down by four from 31 last year.

The Cross Country Chase and Champion Bumper are up six and seven from 15 and 18 confirmations last year, while the Coral Cup's 55 confirmations remain the same.

Out of the 173 confirmations for the Wednesday at the festival, 95 of those are trained in Ireland, with 77 from Britain and just one, the David Cottin-trained Mon Prestige, is trained in France.

As was the case for the opening day, Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott lead the way in the training ranks with 31 per cent of the confirmations for the following day.

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase

Paddy Power: 4-6 Shishkin, 7-2 Energumene, 9-2 Chacun Pour Soi, 10 Nube Negra, 16 Envoi Allen, Funambule Sivola, 20 Put The Kettle On, 33 bar

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