Shishkin eases in the market as punters gravitate to Energumene

Shishkin is a top-priced 4-5 favourite with Paddy Power and Betfair ahead of his clash with unbeaten chaser Energumene in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase (3.35) at Ascot, one of eight races on ITV4.

The eight-year-old, who was due to face Energumene in the Arkle at last season's Cheltenham Festival before his rival was withdrawn through injury, has not lost in six chase starts and returned to action last month with a comfortable success in the Desert Orchid Chase.

It is tight at the top of the Clarence House market and Shishkin has marginally drifted from 4-6 to 8-11 generally, with two bookmakers going 4-5, while Energumene has shortened into 6-4 (from 13-8).

The Irish challenger is unbeaten in five starts over fences, including when easily winning the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork last time. He is second-favourite behind Shishkin for the Champion Chase.

Paul Kealy's Saturday banker at Haydock

Energumene was well supported on Friday and Coral duly cut him to 13-8 (from 15-8) and now go 6-4, while Shishkin has slightly eased with the bookmaker to 8-11. Last year's winner First Flow, one of four runners in the field alongside Amoola Gold, is 12-1 generally.

"Although Shishkin remains favourite for what could be an epic Clarence House, since declarations punters have very much sided with his big rival," said Coral’s David Stevens said on Friday.

"This is exactly the sort of clash all racing fans want to see more of during the jumps season, and having only four runners will not prevent this being an exciting betting heat as well, and although Energumene has been the early market mover, it won’t be enough to relegate Shishkin from the head of the market," added Stevens.

Ben Keith, owner of Star Sports, reported that despite only attracting four runners, the Clarence House was the biggest betting heat of the year for his firm, which had laid bets to the value of £750,000 on both Shiskin and Energumene.

Shishkin or Energumene? Two of our experts pick the Clarence House winner (Members' Club)

Paddy Power Ascot market movers

1.45 Sonigino 16-1 (from 18)
2.20 Western Victory 2-1 (from 9-4)
2.55 Fanion D'Estruval 11-4 (from 7-2)
3.35 Energumene 11-8 (from 6-4)

The going at Ascot is soft, good to soft in places and there are three non-runners in the SBK Betting Podcast Juvenile Hurdle (12.35): Hayedo, Girandole and the Lucy Wadham-trained Graystone.

Emmpressive Lady, who was as short as 14-1 for the Mares' Hurdle (2.20), has been withdrawn, and Amour De Nuit will not run in the bet365 Handicap Chase (2.55), which is reduced to seven runners.

There are three races being shown on ITV4 from Haydock, where the ground is listed as soft, heavy in places on the chase course ahead of the feature Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (2.35), while the going is good to soft at Taunton, which stages the Portman Cup (3.15).

Read more:

ITV Racing tips: one key runner from each of the eight races on ITV4 on Saturday

3.35 Ascot: Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins on Saturday's big Clarence House clash

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