The Sporting Life Arkle is all set to be a cracker this year but are you with Shishkin or Energumene? Our racing team weigh up their chances…
Matt Brocklebank Verdict
SHISHKIN
It may seem unfair to already be comparing Shishkin to former Seven Barrows stars Sprinter Sacre and Altior but it’s almost inevitable given he won a Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last season and is now unbeaten in his fledgling chasing career.
He also came quite close to that pair’s pre-Cheltenham novice chase performance levels when winning the Wayward Lad in grand style at Kempton over Christmas so, following another comfortable win at Doncaster in the Lightning since, big things are expected.
Energumene and Allmankind have considerable engines themselves and we’re in for a lot of fun here, especially if the Irish ace continues to jump out to his left and Dan Skelton’s Allmankind adjusts to the right as he did on several occasions at Sandown, but it should really tee up quite nicely for Nico de Boinville on Shishkin.
It’s a lot to expect him to match anything like Sprinter Sacre’s truly magnificent Arkle performance from 2012, but mixing in better company will no doubt bring even more out of Nicky Henderson’s current rising star and I expect him not only to win, but ultimately win really well.
Tony McFadden (Timeform) Verdict
SHISHKIN
Shishkin and Energumene have impressed on the clock as well as on the eye, leaving no doubt that they are both top-class chasers and in a different league to their rivals in the Sporting Life Arkle.
They've both won all three starts over fences by wide margins and with plenty in hand, making it difficult to be dogmatic about which has the most talent, but Shishkin (165P) just has the edge over Energumene (163p) on Timeform ratings and gets my vote as his big rival has a couple of questions to answer.
We know that Energumene is top-class when able to dominate on testing ground, but he may be presented with a different scenario at the Festival as Allmankind - a Grade 1-winning chaser himself - could try to take him on for the lead, while underfoot conditions might also be quicker than has been the case during the winter in Ireland.
Even minor inconveniences could leave you vulnerable against a rival of Shishkin's quality.
Ben Linfoot Verdict
ENERGUMENE
I’ve been really impressed with Shishkin. I think in nine out of 10 Sporting Life Arkles I’d side with him, but not in this one. Not at the current prices, anyway.
I thought he was vulnerable at Kempton, but he was brilliant in the Wayward Lad and he looked even better at Doncaster when being just about foot-perfect in the Lightning Novices’ Chase. It’s impossible to crab him.
He could be a superstar, but so could Energumene and I find it very hard to split them in terms of the raw ability they have shown thus far.
Shishkin is odds-on, Energumene is generally 5/2 and a shade bigger in a place, and I don’t think there is any doubt that the latter has beaten better horses, certainly over fences.
In fact, the best horse Shishkin has ever beaten is probably Abacadabras and he has hardly looked a world-beater this season.
Energumene beat a fine cast of novice chasers in the Irish Arkle, including Grade 1-winning stablemate Franco De Port, with top horses like last year’s Champion Hurdle third, Darver Star, well beaten in behind.
He won by 10 lengths, in a fast time that was similar to Chacun Pour Soi’s half an hour earlier on the same card, and there seems no doubt in Willie Mullins’ mind that the Arkle, and a date with destiny against Shishkin, is the right move for him.
It could be close, hopefully it will be a great race, but I’d rather have my money on the Irish raider at the current odds.
David Ord Verdict
SHISHKIN
There aren't many horses who take Willie Mullins by surprise but Energumene is one.
It isn't that he's good - they've long known that at Closutton - but it's the fact he's shaping up to be a two mile chaser out of the top drawer.
After all he started out his career over the larger obstacles with a bloodless win over two-and-a-half at Gowran. He looked good there - but even better dropped to the minimum trip at Naas last month.
From there it was the Grade One Irish Arkle at Leopardstown and again the relentless gallop he set, partnered with a high cruising speed and fluent fencing, broke his rivals.
He's the best in Ireland but this is the one championship race where the home team have something with a similar swagger about them.
And in Shishkin's case he has a crucial advantage over his rival - he's proven around Cheltenham. He won last year's Sky Bet Supreme despite seemingly fighting a losing battle after making a mistake at the third. He showed guts to get the better of Abacadabras up the hill. Class has been the hallmark of his chasing career to date.
He's clever when he needs to be, brilliant when he sees a stride, and like Energumene has a cruising speed that allows his jockey to sit exactly where he wants.
In the Sporting Life Arkle it will be a couple of lengths off his rival. At the line I expect him to be a couple of lengths clear of him. He's climbed the hill to Grade One glory before and can do so again - for what is likely to be a rare British winner in the battle for the Prestbury Cup.
Shishkin or Energumene? Send your thoughts in via twitter @SportingLife, Facebook or on email to racingfeedback@sportinglife.com.
John Wareham: "It's Shiskin for me but get money on Energumene without the favourite and have two winners.
Oh by the way while Im here , I bet every day and have done so for over 10 years. I lose just like everybody else does but my bills are always paid first. If any betting site asks me for my financial details then Im afraid my gambling days are over. I used to own a boat and my mooring fees were over £3500 per year but the owners of the marina never asked if I could afford it.
Last year I was down £750 on a hobby that I do every day. That's the same as a season ticket at a Premier League football team or the fees for a season ticket to play golf.
So if I put £100 into Sky Bet and use £10 of it on a horse at 20/1 and it wins and now my account is £300 and I then put £100 on an even money favourite and it loses, does that mean they will want me to show them my bank details to enable me to continue gambling? Even though my account has £100 more in it than it had two days previously? Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest."
Billy B: "The BHA and Timeform ratings have Shinskin rated 3 and 2 pounds higher. In a fast run 2 mile chase that could be reversed by one bad jump. So in the head to head Ben is probably correct in saying at 5/2, Energumene represents the value. But two factors push me in favour of Shishkin. As Matt and Tony have alluded to, Energumene has won all his hurdle/chase races making all. In the Arkle there will be challengers for the lead. Is he as effective racing from off the pace? Will he get involved in self-destructive speed duel? We don't know. The other big factor for me in Festival races, is previous Festival form. Here races are are generally run at a much quicker pace, and can be rougher with a lot of jostling for position. Shishkin certainly got that experience when winning last year's Supreme!
So in the head to head it is Shishkin. For a bet though, it is Captain Guinness. A horse that progresses throughout the season. Unluckily brought down two out in Shishkin's Supreme, when travelling as well as anything. And certainly not beaten when falling two out in Energumene's Irish Arkle. At 25/1 he looks a great each way bet."
