- This topic has 169 replies, 39 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 3 months ago by
.
- Posts
True but while shiskin has performed at chelt Mullins horse has that still to prove
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
“So could any race. :unsure:”
Yes of course, I was referring to the anticipation.
BUY THE SUN
Irish handicapper sticks Energumene in at 163.
UK handicapper had 162 on Shishkin, but seeing the 163 encrouraged him to push Shishkin up to 164.
Sad or what?
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!I would just favour Shishkin personally, but I can’t see how he should be rated higher than Energumene thus far.
BUY THE SUN
Its a fair point FF regarding AMK & Energumene going off infront, who knows how that will play out, definitely suits shiskin anyway, i cant see either being happy not being infront, will energumene handle sitting 2nd? Its a definite negative going into the race. AMK is a sort of forgotten horse, hes beaten the same horse shishkin has as easily, its a solid looking race, still energumene for me for now.
And its pathetic they raised shiskin in response to energumene, to have any credibility for the ratings system you have to rate them on what they have done on the track and over fences upto this point energumene should be rated higher, simple as that, laughable.
While i’m not sure i believe them saying this, i know Townend said after one of Energumene’s wins (think it was his chase debut) that Energumene would not need to lead and they’d be happy to sit 2nd or 3rd. It’s just nothing was going fast enough for him. He definitely doesn’t look as hot headed as UDS, so maybe it’s possible?
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!The ratings thing is a nonsense. If Shishkin and Energumene finish miles clear of the field they won’t be able to drop whoever comes second and both horses will be held up Shiskin’s pointless 2lb higher than they should be. Which doesn’t really matter…except that Nicky may well go on to run his horse in the Maghull, like Sprinter did, or even the Celebration chase like Altior did in his novice year.
Those are small field races generally bolstered by a couple of good handicappers. Would you bother getting your handicapper laden with an extra couple of pounds more than it should for the sake of third place prize money whilst admiring Shishkin’s tail?
He didn’t want to get into an argument and have people thinking he was saying Energumene was better…don’t think that rationale is in the Big Book of Handicapping. Also, god help him if he ever does the weights for the National whilst Giggi are still around, he’ll fold like a cheap tent.
Eldorado Allen @ 66’s ew. Has won at Cheltenham in the autumn, putting a line through the Sandown run and put in a satisfactory performance behind Shiskin LTO.
Can’t see anyone challenging the top 2 so if Allmankind blows up from a blistering pace can see EA mopping up the place money.
I think Captain Guinness each way is the bet for me in this race.
He was travelling as well as anything in the supreme when coming down.
He was still going well in 2nd when falling in Energeume’s race.
I know it’s about jumping and going to an arkle on the back of fall isn’t ideal, but how far would have Energueme beaten him if he had stayed up, if at all?
Throw in the fact that Shiskin belted a few hurdles in the supreme and did well to win considering, and it’s highly likely he’ll belt a few fences at championship pace as well in the arkle. Another negative is De Boinville, I honestly do not think he is a top jockey, I think he’s a terrible judge at bringing horses to hurdles / fences. Way too many mistakes.
At a far bigger price than Shiskin, I’d rather back Captain Guinness out of the two at the prices to see who has a clearer round of jumping.
He was pressing Energueme 2 out and fell yet is 10 times the price of that one.
I think he has just a s much chance as either of the front two in the betting and at 25/1, takes my money. He’s like better ground too.
Just my take on the race…Would be interesting to have old man Steeplechasing step in here with his view on Shishkin’s jumping and de Boinville’s riding ability. If he’s not too busy writing sex scenes for his latest Eddie Molloy novel!
He was pressing Energueme 2 out and fell yet is 10 times the price of that one.
He was close up similarly like he was the race before when Energumene murdered him in the finish. Can’t argue with someone putting up a 25s shot, but i would’ve been surprised if he finished within 5 or 6 of Energumene.
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!Yep, just an opinion….I think better ground sees him closer than 5 or 6…
Regarding De Boinville, I wouldn’t normally criticize but he’s let me down so many times when backing him, speaking from my pocket, not a jockey point of view, but mainly getting them from one side to the next, he’s not great…Old man, eh? Less of that! (Though you’re right)
Jumping is what Shishkin gets out of bed for. It’s why he sulks in races (it looks like a flat spot, but it’s just a tantrum against Nico for restraining him). It’s the reason he does a little dance with his head on the approach to a fence, just dropping it a touch to his right as though getting his eye in, then levelling his head again, stretching the elastic of muscle and sinew and releasing it … for the joy of the leap.
Energumene is a model of cold efficiency. He reminds me of Anton Chigurh in No Country For Old Men. Not for him the sulk, nor the head dip, nor the eye in. He’s programmed to gallop and jump. It’s not his job to entertain. All he wants to do is entice rivals to follow until they’ve left the safety of their comfort zone. From there, he turns the slow screw that finishes them off.
But it’s all very well being a machine when all you want is a row of 11111. Happily, this game is also about art, and in Shishkin we’ve found a young genius. Energumene will walk into the runner up spot, unfazed and untroubled, so don’t weep for him. It won’t be a close finish, giving us apt time to cheer Shishkin all the way home.
I hope everyone here is well. Good luck to you.
Joe
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.