Energumene powers to Champion Chase glory after favourite Shishkin is pulled up

Wednesday: Queen Mother Champion Chase, Cheltenham

It was meant to be an epic rematch and that prospect briefly threatened to be even more intriguing when tactics got redrawn from leftfield, but the elements ultimately conspired to turn the spectacle of the 2022 Queen Mother Champion Chase into a veritable damp squib.

The history books will record that Energumene and Paul Townend combined to finally break Willie Mullins' hoodoo in the one marquee jump race to have hitherto eluded him.

Energumene is a worthy champion whose calibre is not in any doubt, but it ended up feeling like a hollow victory following the early capitulation of Shishkin, who had edged that memorable Clarence House Chase clash at Ascot.

Even after touching down over the first fence in sodden ground that was still officially soft but was in reality bottomless following the sustained deluge, Nico de Boinville had to shake the reins at the odds-on favourite. It was an ominous sign, although at that stage most eyes were drawn to his arch rival.

Townend had thrown a curve ball by electing to drop in Energumene and track Shishkin's every step. It was a brave move on a horse who the received wisdom held had to use his early pace and flamboyant jumping, but they say doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the first sign of insanity.

While we all wondered if they would try something different, few imagined this would be in the playbook on a habitual front-runner. It might have proved an inspired move, but we never found out.

Shishkin failed to warm to his task or jump with any fluency, and De Boinville raised the white flag down the back after jumping the eighth fence. It was the returning Arkle hero's first defeat over fences.

By the time of his departure, Townend had already realised he was chasing the wrong hare, abandoning the tailgating after Shishkin missed the first down the back. Now on the outside, when Townend looked under his arm after jumping two more, he saw De Boinville cry enough on his rival down the inner.

He and the Mullins camp were probably the only ones not deflated by the sight, for the outcome soon became a formality when stablemate Chacun Pour Soi unseated Patrick Mullins at the next fence. Jump racing is rarely that simple, of course, but this time it was.

"The first headache was trying to decide whether to ride him or Chacun Pour Soi, and then we had to decide what to do. It didn't work for us at Ascot so we rolled the dice and took a chance," the winning rider said of the tactical about-turn on the 5-2 shot.

Paul Townend celebrates as Energumene wins the Champion ChaseCredit: Mike Hewitt (Getty Images)

"We had to think about it and every day is a school day. As it turned out today, it probably didn't matter because Shishkin was never going. I knew going away from the stands he wasn't, and I had to react to that and chase the race."

Asked about the distinction of delivering a first Champion Chase to Closutton, he added: "Ruby [Walsh] didn't leave too many behind him for me to be the first to do, we're glad to pick up what scraps he left. It's great when something like that works out."

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase: full result and race replay

Townend eased Energumene into a share of the lead beside Envoi Allen and Funambule Sivola over the third-last. As they swung for home, he gave the proven mudlark a squeeze and went on from the tiring Envoi Allen, before pinging the last and bounding eight and a half lengths clear of Funambule Sivola.

It was another memorable result in Tony Bloom's silks for the rider following, among others, Penhill’s 2018 Stayers' Hurdle victory, and it was an even more emotional one for Mullins, whose trademark composure momentarily eluded him in the aftermath.

"I'm surprised I'm feeling how I am, but there we are," he said. "That shows how much is means to me.

Energumene clears the last on his way to an ultimately comfortable Champion Chase winCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"We felt we had to completely change the tactics from Ascot, but today I don't think it was about the tactics – Shishkin didn't handle the ground. At all stages Paul was just travelling and the horse was loving conditions here, these extreme conditions suit him.

"I'm delighted for Tony. He's had great faith in the stable, great faith in myself and Paul – it couldn't happen to a nicer man."

Bloom, sporting a jacket of the Brighton and Albion football team he owns, added: "I did believe [we could win]. I believe in Willie and Paul, who rode a magnificent race. The rain really helped us as we were praying for rain. We're all really wet, but we're delighted.

"He's an amazing horse and we were very confident. Full credit to Energumene, he's an amazing horse."

He is all that, and now it's one apiece. The decider, on better ground, will be something to look forward to, wherever it comes to pass.

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