A WELL-USED phrase in boxing is “styles make fights” at Ascot last Saturday the adage perfectly described the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase.

Energumene (176), the smooth-travelling, slick-jumping technician held all the aces deep into an enthralling contest until the exhilarating powerhouse Shishkin (177) landed a knockout blow in the final round.

For much of a terrific duel, Shishkin looked vulnerable for the first time in his chasing career which is testament to the pace set by Energumene.

In most other circumstances, the Irish raider would be heralded a champion having dominated for a large percentage of Saturday’s feature, while third-home First Flow (157) ran to the same time figure as when winning the Peterborough Chase, a calculation which endorses the time.

Thankfully, the race lived up to expectation, whetting the appetite for future clashes between the two aces, with Cheltenham next on the agenda.

Enhanced

The unenviable role of closest comparator fell the way of Phoenix Way (146), although he also emerges from the day with his reputation enhanced as he brushed aside 159-BHA rated Fanion D’Estruval (144).

Joining the three chases from the first fence in the home straight when Knight In Dubai and Golden Whisky began jousting for the lead is the ideal staring point as the gaps between the chases were established.

The bet365 Handicap-duo reached the first fence on the circuit 59.3secs, in comparison Enurgemene went through the section in 57.3secs and Cobolobo (130), who led the three-mile event, covered the ground in 60.7secs.

On the approach to Swinley Bottom, the pace lifted in the bet365 chase as Lucy Turner manoeuvred Fanion D’Estruval into the lead, leaving the ground at the first fence away from the famous landmark a further 2.5secs ahead of Cobolobo.

Energumene was quicker again and would have arrived at the obstacle 3.8secs ahead of the Venetia Williams-trained gelding with Paul Townend about to stretch the Clarence House field further.

On the short run to the third last, which took Willie Mullins’s gelding 30secs, the eight-year-old extended away from Fanion D’Estruval by a further 1.8secs, as Townend attempted to draw Shishkin’s finishing effort.

The acceleration over the four fences to the home straight formed part of Energumene’s finishing effort as he covered the ground up from Swinley Bottom in 87.5secs, which against any other opposition is likely to have been fast enough.

However, having looked hard pressed on the home turn, Shishkin dug deep to post a closing sectional of 86.9secs to overhaul the valiant runner-up and was surprisingly a length to the good at the line.

Phoenix Way stopped the clock at 90secs for the closing sectional and Cat Tiger (130) 92.2secs, while to his credit First Flow still found reserves of stamina to finish his race in 91.3secs.

The final reckoning for the reduced distanced race saw Shishkin cross the line 7.2secs ahead of Phoenix Way, who in turn was a further 6.2secs in front of Cat Tiger.

Barring the unforeseen, the remainder of the Champion Chase field will be fighting it out for third and the Closutton team will be hoping Energumene has not met his equivalent of the nemesis Altior represented to Min.

Hurdlers

The hurdlers were below par for the Berkshire venue with Molly Ollys Wishes (145) posting the best time figure when adjusted for distance, although the mare’s closing sectional of 85.2secs portrays she was slowing considerably at the finish.

Harry Skelton was completing a treble on the card in the Grade 2 mares’ contest having previously won on Doctor Parnassuss (132) and Unexpected Party (136) who were both stronger in the finish of their respective races albeit of a slower early gallop.

Doctor Parnassuss covered the ground from the third last hurdle in 81secs compared to his more experienced stable companion’s 80.2secs with both running a faster time-figure and final circuit than Jerrash (127) who finished off in 81.3secs for the same distance of ground.