'Fair fight' with Energumene top of Shishkin's agenda after Champion Chase flop

A mouthwatering trilogy bout with two-mile champion Energumene is right at the forefront of Nicky Henderson's mind for , who may face a race against time to make the Betfair Tingle Creek at Sandown on December 3.

The Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Arkle winner seemed set to follow former Seven Barrows stars Sprinter Sacre and Altior by becoming a Champion Chase hero after he repelled Energumene in an epic Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January.

However, a rare bone condition meant Shishkin was pulled up at Cheltenham in their heavyweight clash in March, with the Willie Mullins-trained raider coasting to victory.

Henderson said: "It's been well documented, but the scans say it's all gone and, apparently, there's no higher chance of it coming back to him than any other horse in the country having it.

"He's not prone to it, which is a relief, and the vets assure me he's at no more risk than anything else. I'm not going to rush him just because it's the Tingle Creek and then, like last year, him not be ready, and we go to Kempton for the Desert Orchid. We'll see.

"He's cantering away, but is a bit behind because we gave him longer in rehab."

Nicky Henderson points out Shishkin's legs at his annual owners' day at Seven BarrowsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Energumene heads the betting for the Betway-backed Champion Chase at a general 9-4, while Shishkin is as big as 9-2 with BoyleSports.

"I would have thought we'd stick to two miles," said Henderson. "It's not out of the question we go further, but I doubt it. I don't think we need to, but we've got to get him back to where he was at Ascot.

"There's no reason the talent won't still be there. The plan is to end up in the Champion Chase and get our own back on Energumene. We beat him once and I know he beat us, but it wasn't really a fair fight because we never took part."

Henderson has been blown away by the physical progression of , the Cotswold Chase winner who flopped in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The six-time champion trainer said. "Believe it or not, he's grown considerably and he's a massive beast. It's slightly surprising at the age of eight, but he's developed and done everything right, although we've done quite a lot to him as well. He's had a wind operation and full MOT, and I'm excited because I know he's very good.

"We did put him in the Grand National last season and I don't know if that's an option, but he's a staying chaser and the Coral Gold Cup is a possibility as Newbury would be a great track for him. If you saw him now, you'd be amazed."

Chantry House has 'grown considerably and he's a massive beast'Credit: Edward Whitaker

That contest, formerly the Hennessy and Ladbrokes Trophy, is feasible for and Henderson said: "He's had surgery on his back, which I hope will help, while he could start in the intermediate chase we've used so successfully at Sandown in November. He's good."

will be aimed at classy chases on decent ground before a possible tilt at the American Grand National this time next year, while could bid for back-to-back wins in the bet365 Charlie Hall at Wetherby on October 29, although the card's Grade 2 staying hurdle is also an option.

Imposing grey may return at Aintree over the National fences in the BoyleSports Becher Chase in December "and some day, one day, there's a big race in him" according to Henderson, who also has the strapping for jump racing's most famous event.

"He's still a novice but I'm not saying he'll stay in that division," he said. "He could end up in anything and the Grand National isn't fanciful."

Henderson, who hopes second-season novice chasers and can step up, is thrilled is on the comeback trail after a 20-month layoff.

"It will be fantastic if we can get him back," he said. "Ian Ferguson has had him and I've seen lots of videos.

"He had this horrible neurological problem in the summer of 2021 and was very wobbly. We had him here and it didn't look great, but he seems to have recovered; he could still be top drawer."

2023 Betway Champion Chase (March 15, 2023)

Betway: 5-2 Energumene, 7-2 Shishkin, 7 Ferny Hollow, 8 Galopin Des Champs, 11 Bob Olinger, 12 Edwardstone, 25 bar

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