Top-level assignments might be over now for Energumene
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 3 Feb 2026
Energumene may be handed a lesser task next time out after struggling to trouble the winner in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The Willie Mullins-trained 12-year-old was contesting the two-mile-one-furlong Grade One as a 12-1 shot under Paul Townend, and came home fourth of six runners when beaten by just over 44 lengths.
Prior to that he has third when nine lengths back in the Hill Way Chase at Cork, a Grade Two he had won three times and the race in which he last got his head in front when striking in December 2024.
Given his advanced age and gradual decline in form it is not guaranteed Energumene will head to the Cheltenham Festival, where he has twice won the Queen Mother Champion Chase, with connections more inclined to lower their sights slightly at this stage of his career.
“Paul said he just struggled to keep up with the horses in front, going down to the third-last I thought we were in a great position but Paul said he didn’t have much more to give,” said Sean Graham, racing manager to owner Tony Bloom.
“He still has plenty of enthusiasm, but his old legs just don’t move as quick as they used to.
“I could see us giving Cheltenham a miss with him now, and because he didn’t win last year and he hasn’t won this year he doesn’t carry a Grade One penalty.
“He could probably go to a Grade Two or a Grade Three at Fairyhouse or Punchestown, we might try him there, but I think the days of him running in Grade Ones are probably over.”
It has previously been mooted that Energumene could step up in trip to see how he fares over two and a half miles, and though Cheltenham is far from a certainty there is an outside chance an opportunity in the Ryanair Chase could present itself.
Graham said: “It’s interesting because Fact To File winning (the Irish Gold Cup) completely changes the picture for the Ryanair, they will surely want to go for the Gold Cup now so does the Ryanair suddenly look a weaker race?
“We’ll have to see how the horse is over the next few days, and the ground would have to be soft for him to run, if it was on the good side then we definitely wouldn’t risk him.”
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