Energumene cruises home in Queen Elizabeth Champion Chase

Energumene had a perfect trip to win Wednesday’s Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth Champion Chase at two miles at Cheltenham Racecourse in England, a race that failed to meet expectations when favored Shishkin was pulled up after a mile.

The $520,400 Queen Mother Champion Chase was the top race on a rain-soaked afternoon that saw the turf course downgraded to soft. Shishkin, the 1-2 favorite, could not cope with the conditions, trainer Nicky Henderson said.

Shishkin was racing at the back of the field when jockey Nico de Boinville pulled up the 8-year-old gelding, who was beaten over fences for the first time in his eighth start over the tougher obstacles.

“We are in very extreme ground,” Henderson said.

Shishkin and Energumene were first and second in a thrilling running of the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January, and the Queen Mother Champion Chase was billed as a rematch.

Energumene ($6.60) never faced that challenge. He stalked the pace for the first 1 3/4 miles before taking a commanding lead two fences from the finish under jockey Paul Townend, winning by 8 1/2 lengths.

Funambule Sivola (35-1) finished second in a field of seven that had five finishers.

Energumene, an 8-year-old French-bred gelding, has won 6 of 7 starts over fences for Irish trainer Willie Mullins and owner Tony Bloom, the chairman of Brighton Football Club of the English Premier League.