Just the four runners, but they included the best two-mile novice chaser of last season, a recent Tingle Creek winner and two handicappers who are well above average, and, in the end, it was the first-named who came home easily in front, putting up an outstanding effort on form and on sectionals (though less so on overall time, due to the slow pace mid-race), probably the best seen so far this season in Britain or Ireland. The pace slackened markedly after the first three and only picked up properly again from 4 out, Shishkin motoring away from his rivals late on.
SHISHKIN (c176+ here, 171+ previously) oozes class and has the form and times/splits to back it up, tracking the pace going well, ever so briefly looking to have a fight on his hands as things heated up turning in (touched almost evens in running) but quickening to lead 3 out, ridden clear between the last 2 and able to be eased near the finish, his splits in the home straight right out of the top drawer. Energumene would be a much tougher rival, but Shishkin – who had wind surgery since last seen and who had missed the Tingle Creek because his trainer felt he was not 100% – holds the advantage again after this.
GREANETEEN (c164 here, 167 previously) is a high-class chaser but not in the same league as Shishkin at that one’s best, which was very much the case here, and probably ran close to form in second, briefly disputing the lead then second, not fluent 4 out but responding well to have every chance at the next, only for the winner to sail by, keeping on for pressure.
SKY PIRATE (c157 here and previously) seemed to run creditably but is a bit below high-class, never mind what Shishkin brings to the table, held up in last, closing going to 3 out then one paced.
BEFORE MIDNIGHT (c142 here, 147 previously) ran a bit better than the result but was flying high here and should have a better chance back in handicaps, disputing then leading, slowing the pace early on the final circuit, headed 3 out and weakening after a mistake at the next.
