SHISHKIN is the choice to come out on top in a mouthwatering clash with Energumene for the SBK Clarence House Chase (3.35) at Ascot.
The two National Hunt stars come into the Grade 1 two-miler with unbeaten records over fences - so something has to give.
In a race to savour, it’s Shishkin who shades the verdict.
Nicky Henderson’s eight-year-old was sent chasing last winter, having signed off over the smaller obstacles with a dramatic success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2020.
Shishkin quickly established himself as the next in line to the Seven Barrows maestro’s two-mile greats Remittance Man, Sprinter Sacre and Altior with an unbeaten five-race campaign that included impressive scores in the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham and the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree.
A low-grade virus ruled Shishkin out of a planned return in Sandown Park’s Tingle Creek Chase, and the son of Sholokhov reappeared in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park two days after Christmas.
The way he smashed up Tingle Creek winner Greaneteen by 10 lengths showed Nico de Boinville’s mount to be at the peak of his powers.
Willie Mullins’ Energumene, ruled out of the Arkle on the eve of the race, has yet to taste defeat in five attempts over fences but has yet to cross swords with a horse of Shishkin’s calibre, and it is the home challenger who is preferred.
Harry Fry’s team are in rude health and PHOENIX WAY has plenty going for him in the bet365 Handicap Chase (2.55).
The nine-year-old hasn’t been an easy horse to get to the track, as evidenced by the fact he’s been limited to just nine starts in a career that began in November 2018.
But there’s no doubting Phoenix Way’s ability.
After a heavy defeat behind today’s rival Fanion D’Estruval at Newbury in November, my selection tackled three miles in a big-money handicap chase on Ascot’s Long Walk Hurdle undercard a week before Christmas.
Phoenix Way travelled strongly before finding Annsam too strong at the finish, but should be suited by coming back in distance and competes from the same British Horseracing Authority handicap mark of 140.
Dan and Harry Skelton have strong claims on a double, initiated by UNEXPECTED PARTY in the SBK Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (1.45).
A blunder at the final hurdle cost the grey victory when second to The Brimming Water at Wetherby on Boxing Day.
Despite a 6lb rise in the weights, Unexpected Party can make amends.
The brothers can complete the brace with MOLLY OLLYS WISHES , who is taken to bounce back from a last-of-five defeat behind Buzz in Ascot’s Coral Hurdle in November by beating five rivals for the following Grade 2 SBK Mares’ Hurdle (2.20).
At Haydock, EMPIRE STEEL can show his mettle in the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (2.35).
After a return-to-action second to Strictlyadancer over today's course and distance in November, the Sandy Thomson-trained grey took in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day.
Empire Steel was still travelling smoothly when falling at the fourth fence from home - Good Boy Bobby beat Lord Du Mesnil , with Lake View Lad fourth - and has a strong compensation claim despite competing from 3lb out of the handicap proper.
Three wins on the spin have taken TOMMY’S OSCAR to the fringes of the ante-post market for the Champion Hurdle, and Ann Hamilton’s seven-year-old should carry on the good work in the Grade 2 New One Unibet Hurdle (2.00).
Conversely, JONBON is in the upper reaches of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle betting and Douvan’s brother is confidently expected to defend his unbeaten record in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (1.25).
At Taunton, YALA ENKI has captured the past two runnings of the BioWaveGo Portman Cup Chase (3.15) under Bryony Frost, and the hat-trick is very much on the cards.
Saturday selections
ASCOT
12.35 RESTITUTION
1.10 DOWNTOWN GETAWAY
1.45 UNEXPECTED PARTY (NB)
2.20 MOLLY OLLYS WISHES
2.55 PHOENIX WAY
3.35 SHISHKIN
4.05 GALIA DES LITEAUX
LINGFIELD PARK
12.45 TOTALLY CHARMING
1.20 ACED IT
1.55 MOBASHR
2.30 SASSY RASCAL
3.05 SEN DING
3.40 VIOLA
4.10 RADETSKY
HAYDOCK PARK
12.50 PAPA TANGO CHARLY
1.25 JONBON
2.00 TOMMY’S OSCAR
2.35 EMPIRE STEEL
3.10 FOILLAN
3.45 GALLIC GEORDIE
4.15 SACRE PIERRE
TAUNTON
12.58 OUTLAW PETER
1.33 TEASE AND SEIZE
2.08 WHATSDASTORY
2.43 OAKLEY
3.15 YALA ENKI
3.53 TURNAWAY
4.25 REVE DE NIAMH
WOLVERHAMPTON
4.30 ARE YOU ABLE
5.00 ZAMEKA
5.30 DARK FLYER
6.00 BASS STRAIT
6.30 OLD PORT (NAP)
7.00 CHASE THE DOLLAR
7.30 RED ALLURE
8.00 AXEL JACKLIN
