THE PRICEWISE VERDICT

TOM SEGAL AFTER his win in the Clarence House at Ascot in the race of the season, Shishkin was the poster boy of the 2m chase division. However, he injured himself in the Champion Chase and Energumene took over at the top of the tree.

The latter looked a different horse when held up and, if anything, was even more impressive at Punchestown afterwards. He sets the standard now and Shishkin will have to come back better than ever to beat him.

Behind those two the cupboard is pretty bare unless you happen to be trained by Willie Mullins.

Ferny Hollow was always thought to be his best 2m novice chaser before injury curtailed his season but he should be back, while

Gentleman De Mee looked good at Aintree. However, Galopin Des Champs looked otherworldly as a novice and I wouldn’t think he would have any trouble dropping back to 2m, if that was the route the Mullins team wanted to take.