In recent year’s it’s usually Cheltenham that hosts the top clashes of the national hunt season but jumps racing fans are in for an extra treat this weekend as Shishkin and Energumene do battle in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.<\/p>\n
An irresistible force takes on an immovable object, with both horses putting their unbeaten record over fences on the line in what could be one of the races of the season. They were all set to clash in last year’s Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival before injury ruled out Energumene, and Cheltenham’s loss is very much Ascot’s gain. And with First Flow and Amoola Gold also lining up, we’ve taken a closer look at all four runners for this weekend’s big match-up.<\/p>\n
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Shishkin<\/strong><\/p>\n Trained by Nicky Henderson, Shishkin was last season’s leading 2m novice chaser, building on his high-class hurdles career that saw him win the Supreme Novices’ at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.<\/p>\n More Festival success came in 2021 with victory in the Arkle, followed up with another Grade 1 success in the Maghull Novices’ Chase at the Grand National meeting at Aintree. He returned this season on the back of having had a breathing operation and missed his intended target of the Tingle Creek due to a slight setback.<\/p>\n Still, he maintained his unbeaten chase record with an impressive victory in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton at Christmas. Quick over his fences and between them, he’s yet to be taken out of his comfort zone, and it will be interesting to see how he copes with a horse of Energumene’s undoubted ability.<\/p>\n Expect Nico de Boinville to stalk Energumene and aim to pounce as they head up the Ascot straight in a Clarence House Chase that could turn into an almighty battle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n