Clarence House analysis: start was crucial in giving us the contest we craved

'There was no cutting of each other's throats'

You can't usually win a two-mile chase in the first furlong but you can certainly lose it, and what happened in the first ten seconds helped make sure we got the great race we were hoping for.

Had First Flow taken on Energumene up front, forcing him out of his comfort zone, making him go quicker than he wanted, the leader might have been a sitting duck for Shishkin later on.

In fact, Paul Townend was able to grab a two-length lead fairly comfortably going to the first fence and it was soon clear there was going to be no cutting of each other's throats.

Energumene is able to establish a comfortable lead from the off

Shishkin averts disaster at the sixth

Shishkin settled handily in third place and was actually a couple of lengths adrift of First Flow at the second fence.

With Energumene seemingly almost coasting in the lead, Nico de Boinville was quick to close the gap on the second to prevent any danger of being caught out of his ground,

However, the downhill section can always be trappy and, having got close to the fifth fence, Shishkin, who had moved into second by this stage, pitched notably on landing at the next.

Shishkin pitches on landing at the sixth

'Crucially, the leader had not sewn things up and was coming under pressure'

After another good jump by Energumene at the eighth, starting the uphill climb, Shishkin found himself back in third place and was starting to be pushed along slightly from the next – which would have been worrying for anyone who had never seen him race before. But a mid-race flat spot should never be seen as a sign that the best chaser in training is beaten and he moved readily back into second place on the turn for home.

'One of the best I've ever been in' - stunning Shishkin beats Energumene in epic

Although De Boinville was asking for far more than Townend at the top of the straight, this is where his mount invariably comes good.

Having traded at 7.8 in running on Betfair and still nearly two lengths down two out, the challenger was starting to find plenty and, crucially, the leader had not sewn things up and was coming under pressure himself.

Having looked in trouble, Shishkin now has Energumene in his sights heading to the last

'No surprise Shishkin was able to force his head in front inside the last 100 yards'

Shishkin is a strong-staying two-miler who is never better than at the finish: if he jumps the last in contention, he is mighty difficult to stop and it was no surprise that he was able to force his head in front inside the last 100 yards.

Paul Townend was able to dictate from the off, set the pace that was ideal for his mount and did nothing wrong on the hugely talented Energumene – he simply came up against an even better horse on the day.

A race for the ages: watch Saturday's Clarence House thriller

The relentless Shishkin overhauls his great opponent with a surging run to the line

Read more on a sensational Clarence House Chase:

'One of the best I've ever been in' - stunning Shishkin beats Energumene in epic

'I can't stop crying' - how social media reacted to an incredible Clarence House

What does the Shishkin v Energumene thriller mean for their Cheltenham chances?

Racing Post Ratings: How high is he? Shishkin the best since Altior as he ascends two-mile ladder (Members' Club)

Brough Scott: 'I don't think there's been anything better, and I felt lucky to be there' (Members' Club)

Lee Mottershead: This was a clash of herculean proportions, now let's hope for many more (Members' Club)

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