'We're going to have to get used to them' - fence colour a factor in Energumene defeat

The colour change to Cheltenham's fences from orange to white was believed to be a factor in the odds-on defeat of Energumene in the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase according to Willie Mullins, who will aim to address the issue before his Champion Chase defence.

Cheltenham made the switch, which has been done across Britain, for all obstacles at the start of this season in October and Saturday's Grade 1 was the first time Energumene had encountered them, which Mullins believed caught him by surprise when jumping untidily at the first.

His jumping improved by the third fence and while he travelled well turning for home, he faded out of contention late on. He finished six and three-quarter lengths behind surprise winner Editeur Du Gite in third and drifted to 5-2 (from 8-11) with Betfair Sportsbook to retain his Champion Chase crown.