THE rematch between Energumene and Shishkin was billed as the most eagerly awaited race of the Cheltenham Festival. Unfortunately, the Champion Chase did not deliver the promised duel and in fact it was the eaarlier Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase which gave clockwatchers more to talk about.

Let’s deal with the feature race first. Paul Townend dropped Energumene (170) out last of the field of seven and was content to maintain a view of Shishkin even though Nicky Henderson’s star chaser lacked fluency at his early obstacles.

Then, despite missing the water slightly himself, the Mullins runner moved past Shishkin who was soon to be pulled up. Chacun Pour Soi checked out soon after as Townend allowed his partner to take closer order and complete the closing sectional from the third last fence in 57.9secs. The change of tactics clearly suited the son Denham Red as my ratings say he ran to the same level as at Ascot with plenty in hand.

Funambule Sivola (162) matched the time-figure he achieved at Aintree last year when beaten three and a quarter lengths by Shishkin. Venetia Williams’ gelding was beaten by eight and a half lengths on this occasion.

Charlie Deutsch may have been forced to settle for second in the Champion Chase, but he enjoyed the winning experience aboard the impressive L’homme Presse (160+) in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase earlier in the afternoon.

Venetia Williams opted for stepping up in trip rather than taking on Galopin Des Champs and Bob Olinger and was duly rewarded by her new stable star who produced a season’s best to maintain his unbeaten record over fences. The feature of the seven-year-old’s win was his precise and economic jumping.

Charlie Deutsch allowed his mount to attack the open ditch going up the hill on the first circuit and the pair were in front and not headed from there to the line. An even more prodigious leap at the same fence on the final circuit handed Deutsch the luxury of coasting down the hill before again outjumping his rivals at the third last fence and completing his closing sectional in 57.4secs, 0.5secs quicker than Energumene.

It is no wonder Ahoy Senor (158+) made little impression on the climb to the line and I would even say L’homme Presse extended again when given a reminder behind the saddle as the post loomed.

Ahoy Senor has enjoyed a fine first season over fences and was beaten by less ground than he gave away with fencing errors. The seven-year-old has the engine to be competitive at the highest level when brushing up his jumping.

Farouk D’Alene (158?) smoothly moved into a challenging position before falling at the second last fence. Gordon Elliott’s gelding thrives on soft ground and will land a graded race under similar conditions while Gaillard Du Mesnil (155) again ran with distinction in a fast time-figure race.