- Nicky Henderson’s chaser produces stunning finish at Ascot
- ‘Great champions find a way of winning and he is just that’
The long-awaited first meeting between Shishkin and Energumene lived up to every expectation here on Saturday, as two exceptional chasers duelled around two miles at Ascot before Shishkin edged in front in the final strides, having jumped the final fence with a length still to find.
There was a huge roar from the stands as the two horses battled towards the line, with Energumene attempting to cling on to a lead he had held from the off. Ultimately, his first trip to Britain ended in defeat by a length, but a pulsating and unforgettable race has now set up a rematch in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March which will surely be the race of the Festival.
