Nicky Henderson will bid for a record-breaking Betway Queen Mom Chase feeling Shishkin has an edge over Energumene in his much-anticipated rematch.
The pair had an exciting duel at Clarence Home Chase in Ascot in January, the place Shishkin beat Willy Mullins’ Energumene in one of many season’s races.
Shishkin is the favourite to take care of his unbeaten document on the fences, whereas Mullins additionally performs Energomen stablemate Chuckun Bor Sui, who completed third when a robust candidate for renewal final 12 months, within the eight-runners record.
Henderson believes Shishkin, who received the Arkle Trophy Chase Award eventually 12 months’s competition, has taken a vibrant first step in his stride and that the left-hand races at Cheltenham will play on his strengths.
“It would not appear to be Ascot left an imprint on him, he appears to be in excellent form,” Henderson mentioned.
“The best way he is racing means he would not have a tough time with it. Anybody will observe. I count on the identical sort of ways at Cheltenham, until Willy does one thing completely different, however I am certain there might be tempo on.
“You’ll have favored to suppose that Cheltenham Hill can be in our greatest curiosity given the Ascot Race – he regarded in hassle, however then his stamina kicked in. They did the mare very well and that is his power.
“You may ensure he’ll get two and a half miles however no rush, Chase’s champ is Chase’s champ and that is what we would like.
Willie mentioned he did not understand how he was going to show the tables, however I additionally suppose he is trying ahead to a different rift. I feel the rematch is the fascinating a part of the race.
“There was solely size between them so something might occur. That may be two months away and it is going the opposite method which could assist us, however there’s not a lot in it – the size is not that a lot.
“Energumene did not make an Arkle final 12 months, you may’t stand that in opposition to him, and we have gone up hill a number of instances earlier than. It did not appear to be Chacun Pour Soi did final 12 months, however Willie will know what to do.”
Chacun Por Soi was crushed for one and a half by Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra for third final 12 months. Each horses reopen in a strong revamp of the two-mile present.
“It is going to be a hell of a race,” Mullins mentioned. “You could have Chacun Pour Soi, Energumene, Shishkin, and some others.
“I feel Chacun Pour Soi has it. He is the one I would prefer to see win at Cheltenham.
“I feel the world of Chacun Pour Soi and lots of people are saying he cannot stand the hill in Cheltenham, however he is a horse that I might like to see a good probability there – which I do not suppose he is had but.
“Possibly it is a horse that works higher, particularly once you consider journey. Individuals say we should always fly it, however I do not suppose that is the reply as a result of it brings one thing totally new to it. I feel ‘I will be nice on our method – we’re used to flying’ And there was not a lot, apart from, the price was excessive.
“Once we went to Cheltenham within the early days all of the horses circled. As a result of the ferries and roads have improved we will get to Cheltenham two or three hours longer than we did once we fly, plus there may be loads of ready when doing that. There’s a signal Plus and minus for all the things – we’d like our personal aircraft and runway!”
Chacun Pour Soi traveled aggressively 12 months in the past when he was pinned behind the leaderboard and rocked to steer on the finish, however discovered little within the second spherical.
“On the time, I believed we should always have made extra use of Ch’on Bor Swee final 12 months, however this 12 months it was a special race,” added the Clausotton coach.
“He and Energumene are two utterly completely different horses. Energumene is a bit of horse coming into this and Chacun has finished loads of issues, so we’re giving him the respect he deserves, I feel.”
“Energumene had an awesome race on an awesome day for Ascot and we’re trying ahead to rematch.
“We all know that it isn’t removed from wherever Shishkin is, however as I mentioned again within the day, it will likely be tough to vary this manner.
“Shishkin made two errors and possibly we will change issues up a bit and it will likely be very tough to win, however we are going to see.
“I by no means fear or take into consideration the bottom once I go to Cheltenham. I feel a nicer setting would in all probability be match for Chacon extra and the way in which he light out in Sandown (at Tingle Creek) would counsel a greater floor is perhaps match. I feel Energumene will proceed any floor.
Put The Kettle has not received three video games since touchdown within the race final 12 months, however coach Henry de Broomhead feels it will be a special proposition to defend her crown.
“I can not inform you why Cheltenham appears to convey out the perfect in her,” he mentioned, “however she appears to love it there.” “She’s in actually fine condition and he or she’s in on herself when she’s on the market.
“She’s usually underrated when she goes there and he or she was very nicely priced when she received the Arkle and the Champion Chase. She loves it there and let’s have a look at. It appears to be like like she’s coming to herself actually now.”
De Broomhead additionally represents Envoy Allen, who was the favourite to win the Marsh Novices chase final season, however fell to fourth. He began the season with a Class Two success at two miles prolonged and three furlongs, and earned a Class 1 on fences when he scored in a three-way affair in Leopardstown over Christmas.
De Broomhead added: “He has race velocity. Whether or not he has expertise leaping that quick is one other factor. They went quick sufficient in Leopardstown, so I feel he’ll.”
2020 Politologue scorer and Newbury’s Recreation Spirit Chase winner Funambule Sivola add depth to his star-studded lineup, with Dan Skelton hoping Nube Negra can advance higher than when he misplaced half his size final 12 months.
“We’ve got a really quick horse taking on the racetrack,” mentioned Skelton. “We’ve got to get it new and it’s.
“In a two-mile race, you leap and go. Tactically, you must bear in mind and if any of the highest opponents make a mistake, he’ll inform them.
“We all know it’ll be powerful, however anybody can see why we’re so constructive about it.
“Hopefully we go on the market and win it on advantage and I do not suppose we will make 1,000,000 to 1.”
