Il Etait Temps once again proved why he is regarded as a top‑class chaser when he added the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown to his two‑mile triumph at Cheltenham, marking his eighth win at the highest level. The French‑bred veteran, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, was paired with the experienced Paul Townend, who chose to bring the horse into the race from the middle of a five‑horse field.
At the start, Townend gave Il Etait Temps a few lengths to settle after a brief mistake early on. As the race entered the final three furlongs, the favourite, starting at 8‑11, began to gain ground, pulling ahead of his rivals and establishing a clear lead. By the time they turned into the home straight, he was already two lengths clear of the nearest challenger, Marine Nationale, a horse that had completed the same Punchestown‑Cheltenham double exactly one year earlier. Il Etait Temps responded to the challenge by extending his advantage, eventually finishing five lengths ahead of Marine Nationale.
The veteran Energumene, who had been forced to retire on the day, managed a respectable third place, confirming his status as a durable and talented performer throughout his career. Mullins praised his winner, noting, "He may not look like a typical big chaser – he isn’t a massive horse – but his strength and stamina are exceptional.
After the mistake, he showed huge reserves of energy, coming back alongside Marine Nationale at the third‑last. That horse has a good engine, so to beat him after a fall at Ascot’s Clarence House Chase in January and then win at Cheltenham was truly special. Paul rode him in top‑flight jockey mode, and the result was a testament to his class." Mullins also commented on the other runner, Majborough, suggesting that a longer distance might suit him better, allowing the horse to settle into a steadier rhythm.
When asked about the retirement of 12‑year‑old Energumene, who has achieved the Punchestown‑Cheltenham double twice, Mullins said, "He retires sound and happy after a brilliant performance. He gave us a fantastic day at Fairyhouse at Easter, showing that he could still roll back the years.
The ground was a bit too firm for him today, but he still put up a great fight. Winning his first Champion Chase at Cheltenham will always be a treasured memory – his speed and jumping ability set him apart." Marine Nationale’s trainer, Barry Connell, expressed satisfaction with his horse’s effort, acknowledging that the horse had not shown his usual bounce this season. "He jumps beautifully with his cheekpieces and was foot‑perfect, but he seemed a little flat today.
Normally, when he lands at the back of the second‑last, his speed shines through, and he looked a bit off‑pace. All credit goes to the winner, who pulled clear by a long way.
I don’t think his hold‑up affected his performance, and while his recent work has been modest, he still delivered a worthy run. This will set us up for a promising campaign next season, and hopefully a bit of luck will follow." The day also featured a notable win for Gordon Elliott’s stable as Western Fold captured the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown, bolstering Elliott’s bid for the trainers’ championship. After an early lead by Brown Advisory’s Kitzbuhel, which faded in the closing stages, Western Fold, ridden by Jack Kennedy, surged ahead to win by three and three‑quarter lengths, earning a €73,625 prize. Elliott was delighted with the performance, saying, "I was a little nervous about the three‑mile distance, but we rode him a bit more conservatively today and it paid off.
He’s been very busy this season and is already among the top five earners. We had considered the American Grand National, where Zanahiyr won for us last year, but the ground is key for Western Fold – he prefers softer going. A break is due after this, and while the Galway Plate would be tempting, the weight he’d carry might be too high after today’s effort." On the opening day of the Punchestown Festival, Eachtotheirown delivered a dominant performance in the Grade One PRL Champion Novice Hurdle, winning by four and a quarter lengths. Jockey Sean Flanagan sent the seven‑year‑old straight to the front, and the horse never looked back, staying clear of rivals such as Blake and Le Labo.
Trainer Barry Connell explained the tactics, noting that the horse had been “rank” the previous day, so they opted to give him a free lead today. He added, "He’s only had a handful of hurdle runs, but he’s essentially a chaser in training – a big‑stamped horse with a good engine." Connell also hinted at future plans, saying the Arkle Chase is a prime target for next season, as Eachtotheirown is a true two‑miler who dislikes being restrained.
He expects a beginners’ chase early in the campaign before stepping up to Leopardstown and eventually Cheltenham. In the Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, Kalix Delabarriere, trained by Willie Mullins, surged clear in the final stages to win by four lengths over I'm Slippy. Mullins praised the colt’s improvement, acknowledging that it took 18 months to get him right after a disappointing performance as a potential bumper. He highlighted the horse’s pedigree, noting he is by Galiway and possesses a powerful finish.
Another highlight was Abbeyglen’s victory in the Goffs Defender Bumper, where the 11‑2 shot trained by Martin Brassil won by five and a half lengths, earning €59,000. Brassil described the win as “lovely,” emphasizing the horse’s size, leggy build, and potential for future development once he matures and gains more experience over fences. Brassil also gave an update on Fastorslow, a staying chaser in his stable, saying the horse remains on the “easy list” and is expected to return to training in the summer months, with plans to target autumn and winter races. Overall, the Punchestown Festival delivered a blend of thrilling finishes, strategic masterclasses from top trainers, and promising glimpses of future stars, reinforcing its reputation as a cornerstone of the Irish racing calendar.