Henderson savouring Energumene rematch with Shishkin in Champion Chase

Nicky Henderson will bid for a record seventh Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase feeling that Shishkin has the edge over Energumene in their eagerly-awaited rematch.

The pair served up a thrilling duel in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January, with Shishkin just holding the edge over the Willie Mullins-trained Energumene in one of the races of the season.

Shishkin is the odds-on favourite to maintain his unbeaten record over fences, while Mullins also fields Energumene’s stablemate Chacun Pour Soi, who finished third when a hot favourite for last year’s renewal, in the eight-runner line-up.

Henderson believes Shishkin, who won the Arkle Trophy Chase at last year’s Festival, has taken a pulsating first scrap in his stride and that racing left-handed at Cheltenham will play to his strengths.

“Ascot doesn’t seem to have left a mark on him, he seems in very good form,” said Henderson.

“The way he races means he doesn’t give himself a hard time. He’ll follow anybody. I’d expect the same sort of tactics at Cheltenham, unless Willie does something different, but I’m sure there’ll be a good pace on.

“You’d like to think the Cheltenham hill would be in our favour looking at the Ascot race – turning in he looked in trouble, but then his stamina kicked in. They’d gone a good gallop and that is his strength.

“You’d be pretty sure he’d get two and a half miles but there’s no rush, the Champion Chase is the Champion Chase and that is the one we want.

There was only a length between them so anything could happen.

“Willie did say he didn’t know how he was going to turn the tables, but I also think he’s looking forward to having another crack. I think the rematch is the interesting part of the race.

“There was only a length