'This was purely ground-related' - Nicky Henderson reacts to shock Shishkin flop

Nicky Henderson described Shishkin's early exit from the Champion Chase after being pulled up sharply after the eighth fence, as "purely ground-related".

The star two-mile chaser was never travelling and failed to jump with his usual accuracy and exuberance under Nico de Boinville in the Grade 1 event won by his Clarence House Chase rival Energumene.

It was a first defeat for Shishkin over fences and came on ground described as soft, with rain throughout Wednesday following an average of 5mm of water applied to the track after racing on Tuesday. The going was changed to heavy after the Champion Chase.

Trainer Nicky Henderson: 'Shishkin couldn't get out of the ground going to the first fence'Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The Seven Barrows trainer refused to blame officials for the conditions and hinted Aintree's Grand National meeting was a possibility for Shishkin, who could step up in trip for the Melling Chase.

Henderson said: "The plan was to pop out and be up there over the first and settle where we saw fit, but he just couldn't get to them. He couldn't get out of the ground going to the first fence. They went quick but he can go quick too – he just couldn't get out of it.

"Nico was dead right in pulling him up – there was no point subjecting him to any more. You either go on it or you don't when you're into the real extremes and you never know until you run them.

"Shishkin appears to be perfectly okay. Most of these horses won't go to Aintree, but we might be able to consider it and try him over two and a half miles. This was purely ground-related."

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase: full result and race replay

The overnight watering had been a point of contention on day two but Henderson was sympathetic towards officials.

Henderson said: "I can understand why the decision was made to put water on the track as the jockeys felt it was getting quick towards the end of day one. I understand their predicament and Jon [Pullin, clerk of the course] has loads of forecasts, some of which said this rain wasn't going to happen.

"I'm not blaming anybody, that's for certain. It was going to be soft anyway and this rain would have made it soft with or without watering. They've done their best – they took a decision and it is what it is, there's no point crying or shouting about it."

While it was Energumene who capitalised, the Venetia Williams-trained Funambule Sivola defied his 40-1 odds to finish eight and a half lengths back in second.

Williams said: "I'm thrilled to bits. He's come a long way. I couldn't win a hurdle race with him, and I'm not sure I could now even as it's his jumping that's so brilliant. He's only a pony. I wasn't sure about this ground for him, but he didn't mind it."

Energumene wins dramatic Champion Chase as Shishkin pulled up

Four-time top-level winner Politologue finished a gallant fourth on the final start of his career. The John Hales-owned grey bows out with an illustrious CV, including victories in the Champion Chase, Melling Chase and two Tingle Creek Chases.

Nicholls said: "I'm delighted with that and he's run really well. He hasn't quite got the legs of the others now when coming down the hill but he enjoyed it as I knew he would. He's been a brilliant servant for us – he's won over a million quid and won the Champion Chase so we're really proud of him.

"He's been a smashing horse for the Hales family and goes out at the top. He'll join Big Buck's in retirement and is going to have a wonderful home."

How the race unfolded for Shishkin

Shishkin (circled) was never travelling in Wednesday's Queen Mother Champion Chase

Shishkin loses more ground when back in last over the water jump in the Champion Chase

Shishkin is right on the inner and remains in last as Chacun Pour Soi (pink) sets the pace

Shishkin starts to lose touch and it becomes apparent the big race is all but over for him

Nico de Boinville pulls up Shishkin with the odds-on favourite some way behind the others

Expert reaction: Ruby Walsh talking on ITV

"When the tapes went back it was like he just turned off. Look how much ground he loses on Chacun Pour Soi straight away and he's flat to the boards going to the first fence. Shishkin misses the first and when he lands Nico has to roust him but there's no response.

Pundit Ruby Walsh: 'At the first fence down the back he makes a mistake and it's all over'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"Nico has to try to change something and away from the third he tries to get to the outside but he's going nowhere and at the first fence down the back he makes a mistake and it's all over. That's Shishkin's race run after five fences."

Shishkin: the in-running comment

Didn't jump with fluency, slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along briefly just after 1st, switched right on outer after 5th, mistake and pushed along 6th, slow jump and pulled up quickly just after 8th, never going well

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