Brighton owner Tony Bloom celebrates big win at Cheltenham

Energumene, ridden by Paul Townend, saw off close rival Shishkin in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase this afternoon.

Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom said he was “so proud” of his horse.

He told the BBC: "It was brilliant, in the end it was easy but I'm sure there will be many great races between us and Shishkin over the years," he added.

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"The rain has really helped us and when Shishkin and Chacun Pour Soi fell it was ours to lose. Great credit to Paul Townend and Willie Mullins."

Seagulls fans will hope it is the first leg of a win double as their team prepare to take on Tottenham in the Premier League this evening.

Shishkin got the better of their first meeting in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot, winning by a length and taking his unbeaten record over fences to seven.

Energumene was ridden by Paul Townsend and won by eight and a half lengths

But in a dramatic rematch, the Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin never travelled with any fluency at the back of the pack and was pulled up by Nico de Boinville after jumping the sixth from home.

Energumene (5-2) was always travelling well, despite the very soft ground, and once Chacun Pour Soi had exited when going well toward the head of affairs at the fifth last, Paul Townend’s job appeared much simpler.

Energumene, who had lost his unbeaten record at Ascot, had last year’s winner Put The Kettle on in his sights and turning in, had beaten off the mare.

From left, Paul Townend, Tony Bloom and trainer Wille Mullins pose with their trophies

He picked off Envoi Allen and once setting sail two out, it was Funambule Sivola (40-1) who gave vain chase in second, although he was soon in Townend’s rear-view mirror.

The eight-year-old went on to beat his six rivals by eight and a half lengths, with Envoi Allen a further four and a half lengths back in third.

Albion take on Spurs in the Premier League at 7.30pm tonight at the Amex.