Horse Racing

Cheltenham Festival 2022: Wednesday's Champion Chase tips - Shishkin vs Energumene rematch reviewed

Jonathan Doidgejon doidge15 March 2022
Shishkin ridden by jockey Nico de Boinville on their way to winning the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park. Shishkin can enhance his already sky-high reputation by providing anothe

Shishkin ridden by jockey Nico de Boinville on their way to winning the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park. Shishkin can enhance his already sky-high reputation by providing anothe

It's round two of Shishkin vs Energumene and Planet Sport's panel talk what could separate the two in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday, March 16.

Join the Racing Post's David Carr, former Cheltenham Festival winning rider Dominic Elsworth and Planet Sport's tipster Jonathan Doidge as they peruse the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The Grade 1 feature is the fourth race on day two of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival and goes to post at 15:30 and you can follow the action in our live race centre.

This archetypal two mile test revolves around the equine duel between Nicky Henderson's superstar chaser Shishkin and Willie Mullins' galloping Energumene. Many see this as a two-horse race but who knows, if things get complicated between those two, the likes of Mullins' Chacun Pour Soi or Dan Skelton's Nube Negra may find a way in?

Here's what Planet Sport's expert panel make of the "Queen Mum", you won't be surprised to hear they are split.

Energumene - David Carr (Racing Post)

"Shishkin beat Energumene at Ascot and everyone seems to think he'll beat him again. He might do, but 4/7 one and 100/30 the other, I think Energumene has to be the bet.

"He had Shishkin beat for most of the race at Ascot, this isn't any stiffer a track, if anything it might be an easier course. If he gets in good jumping rhythm up front, Energumene has to be the bet to overturn the favourite this time."

Shishkin or Energumene - Dominic Elsworth (Cheltenham Festival winning jockey)

"It's going to be a good race isn't it, the race at Ascot was fantastic so it's definitely going to be between those two, which one? Well, it's just a race to watch and savour".

Shishkin - Jonathan Doidge (Planet Sport tipster)

"Very difficult to get away from Shishkin and I just can't see a way the Energumene can re-write the form of that race if they clash together in the Champion Chase.

"A bit of value in Nube Negra who I think could run into the frame again in this race."

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