Ascot Saturday

SBK Clarence House Chase (Grade 1)

THE most anticipated clash of the season so far produced exactly what it promised, with both Shishkin (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) and Energumene (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) producing career-best performances to dominate the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase, with the former finding a telling burst from the final fence to run out the winner by a length.

The winner – sent off 5/6 favourite – played second fiddle for most of the race, with Energumene jumping efficiently and setting a pace which put pressure on the others.

First Flow remained in touch until a slight mistake two out saw the big two get away from him, and the result was in doubt until the dying strides.

It looked as if Energumene would hold on when he produced a superb leap under pressure at the final fence, but Shishkin has that rare ability – in common with former stablemate Altior – to find a burst of speed in the finish having looked all out, and snatched victory in a pulsating climax.

All-time

Calling the Clarence House the best race of all time is over-egging the pudding a little, but this was a race for the ages and one a younger generation will reference for many years to come, and rightly so.

It whets the appetite for more of the same, and it was encouraging to hear Nicky Henderson talking of ‘round two’ in the Champion Chase with such relish.

“The nice thing is there is going to be a rematch now” said an animated Henderson in the aftermath. “We all hoped it would be a good race today as it would have ruined the Champion Chase if they didn’t fight it out today.

“Two out it looked as though we were on the ropes but one thing this horse does is try and find for you.

“It’s the biggest fight he’s been in today – the biggest fight they’ve both been in – and he doesn’t give up. But this is only round one and round two is for the championship.”

Willie Mullins is under no illusions about the task he faces in turning this form around in March:

“I hope we’re not going to be far away from him at Cheltenham but it’s going to be difficult to turn it around. If I was looking at it as a neutral, I would say Shishkin just has the edge. God knows what he had left in the locker as well.”

Patient Wishes

Molly Ollys Wishes (Dan/Harry Skelton) claimed the Grade 2 SBK Mares’ Hurdle after the race was set up for him by a suicidal pace set by Tom Bellamy on market rival Western Victory, who was having her first start for Emma Lavelle.

With My Sister Sarah never really travelling for Paul Townend, the winner was given a perfect set-up, and the daughter of Black Sam Bellamy won with more in hand than the length-and-three-quarter margin over the Willie Mullins-trained runner-up, for all the 13/8 favourite found the stiff three miles stretching her.

Molly Ollys Wishes has won both starts at this trip, but is better at two and a half miles, especially in a stiff track, and Dan Skelton has options on the table, as he explained.

“She’s been a slow burner and has taken us all by surprise. We’ll see about Cheltenham, and I’ve always thought Aintree would suit her. There’s a race at Fairyhouse in the spring too that she could go for, so we’ll see.”