Gold Cup and Grand National winning jockey Robbie Power has singled out Shishkin as the most likely winner of this year’s Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Nicky Henderson’s charge is 11/10 antepost market favourite to win the Grade One contest and Robbie told Leon Blanche that he is a more likely winner than Energumene, as the pair prepare to face each other in this weekend’s Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
Have a watch, below!
He said: “It will be a cracking renewal of the Champion Chase if they all get there in one piece. Energumene may be heading to Ascot this weekend for the Clarence House Chase along with Shishkin, but I don’t think the latter will run if the ground is very testing. If they both run it is something to look forward to and will be very interesting.
“Shishkin is the one for me though. He reminds me of Altior as he races behind the bridle as he did that at Kempton the last day. He will sharpen up for that run so he is the one to beat.
£Energumene was very good at Cork and it will be interesting to see him at Ascot but he has never been to Cheltenham and is too short at 2/1 based on that, so Shishkin at 11/10 is the most likely winner for me.
“Chacun Pour Soi was disappointing in both his starts across the pond, but I don’t buy into the fact that they didn’t make much use of him in the Champion Chase last season. It wasn’t like he was flying up the hill and staying on.
"I don’t think he got up the hill last year at Cheltenham and whether or not he travelled over well, I don’t know if that was the reason as he didn’t run well at Sandown either.
“Put The Kettle On was very disappointing at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. Her two runs this season have been disappointing, but she is the reigning champion and while there is the Mares’ Chase, I’d imagine she will have another crack at the Champion Chase.
Robbie Power’s Champion Chase Pick:
11/10 - Shishkin
*Prices correct at time of publication
Bet on Cheltenham, HERE.
Nicky Henderson’s charge is 11/10 antepost market favourite to win the Grade One contest and Robbie told Leon Blanche that he is a more likely winner than Energumene, as the pair prepare to face each other in this weekend’s Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
Have a watch, below!
? @Robbie_Power_ takes a look at the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
? Shishkin
? Energumene
? Chacun Pour Soi
? Someone else?
? Here's his predictions, chatting to @BoyleSportsLB ?
Bet ? https://t.co/eePhhDBN4B#CheltenhamFestival #Cheltenham2022 #Racing pic.twitter.com/gTWpBhUr6m
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) January 19, 2022""
He said: “It will be a cracking renewal of the Champion Chase if they all get there in one piece. Energumene may be heading to Ascot this weekend for the Clarence House Chase along with Shishkin, but I don’t think the latter will run if the ground is very testing. If they both run it is something to look forward to and will be very interesting.
“Shishkin is the one for me though. He reminds me of Altior as he races behind the bridle as he did that at Kempton the last day. He will sharpen up for that run so he is the one to beat.
£Energumene was very good at Cork and it will be interesting to see him at Ascot but he has never been to Cheltenham and is too short at 2/1 based on that, so Shishkin at 11/10 is the most likely winner for me.
“Chacun Pour Soi was disappointing in both his starts across the pond, but I don’t buy into the fact that they didn’t make much use of him in the Champion Chase last season. It wasn’t like he was flying up the hill and staying on.
"I don’t think he got up the hill last year at Cheltenham and whether or not he travelled over well, I don’t know if that was the reason as he didn’t run well at Sandown either.
“Put The Kettle On was very disappointing at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. Her two runs this season have been disappointing, but she is the reigning champion and while there is the Mares’ Chase, I’d imagine she will have another crack at the Champion Chase.
Robbie Power’s Champion Chase Pick:
11/10 - Shishkin
*Prices correct at time of publication
Bet on Cheltenham, HERE.