What a cracking race

Knew he'd hit bigger IR What a star!

The rarest of occasions, when an overhyped race, turns out to be even better.

Loved that.

Wow just WOW!!

i was concentrating on the race but just ckecked and Shishkin hit 9 in running with plenty at 6. He seems to be the sort of horse that waits until he can see the winning post before putting in his full effort.

It gets no better than that.

They will wonder how on earth they have lost.

Shiskin is similar to Altior ,probably with even more finish , not at all similar to the Rolls Royce that was Sprinter Sacre.

If you cant beat him at Ascot , I think they have no chance up the hill in March.

Posted it before, he likes to have some fun with Nico. Was always going to hit bigger IR today.

Had him in a double with Jonbon and napped him in the Comp. Happy daze

I must admit to thinking that Energumane was going by far the best coming into the straight, I was amazed that Shishkin got to him. I'm particularly pleased for Nico de Boinville, who gave him a terrific ride and served it up to the idiots on here that think they know better than Hendo. Great race.

A race to re-watch a number of times. It doesn't get any better IMO.

that was a tough race both could pay a price for it.

That might be the case Fyles but Shishkin less so in that he looked happy passing the post while Energumene emptied after the last. Not sure what else can realistically take them on apart from Allaho and Greanateen.

sixtwosix, you are probably right about Cheltenham and the hill, but......the 2nd may have the chance, if ridden appropriately, to use the downhill bit to gain easy lengths and be a bit further ahead? I wouldn't know tbh as I always think finishers have a better chance at the Festival but may be worth thinking about. May be a decent BtL though that's not easy on course with the wifi!

Brilliant race and looked to me like Nico knew he had it a little bit before he drew level.

Thank goodness it won if our best horse got turned over before Cheltenham it would have looked like another Irish whitewash in March.

hoping nicholls will run  hitman in champion chase sageform.

Could be but Greanateen is still progressing while Hitman seems to be just below top class. I must admit though that the distance that First Flow was beaten yesterday makes any other danger to the big two look unlikely. I would not rule out Eldorado Allen in a market without the top two as he probably didn't quite stay 2.5 against Mister Fisher and a fast run 2 miles is his optimum.

Just a brilliant race. A joy to watch.

Great to have 2 closely matched horses. Altior and Sprinter were very good but it was not the same spectacle.