Duel between Shishkin and Fakir d`Oudairies

Ascot, Saturday, February 18: The Group 1 Ascot Chase (5th race/16.35/175,000 pounds/4230m) is a touchstone for six horses today for the upcoming Festival at Cheltenham. Twelve months ago, Fakir d`Oudairies (J. Slevin) was the winner. He later won the Melling Chase (Group 1) at Aintree and currently the Joseph O`Brien-trained eight-year-old triumphed at Thurles at Group 2 level. Whether it is enough to win again depends on Shishkin (Nico de Boinville), who finished third in the Tingle Creek Chase (Group 1) with no better options and only came close to rectifying his strike result from the Queen Mother Champion (Group 1). In the Henderson protégé`s favor are ten straight bull`s-eyes. Pic d`Orhy (Harry Cobden) can also boast a winning streak. With the `Weile` victory in the Silviniaco Conti Chase (Group 2) and over Millers Bank (Jonathan Burke) and First Flow (David Bass) at Huntingdon, he recommended himself emphatically for the upcoming major tasks. Aye Right`s (Ryan Mania) recent performances are not enough for a top finish.