Il Etait Temps once again proved why he is considered a top‑class chaser when he added the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown to his two‑mile triumph at Cheltenham, completing a rare double for the eighth time in his illustrious career. The French‑bred veteran, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, was paired with the experienced Marine Nationale, the very horse that had achieved the same double a year earlier, and both were sent off alongside the sturdy Majborough. Jockey Paul Townend, who had already guided Il Etait Temps to victory at Cheltenham, chose to hold the Mullins star back in the early stages, allowing the field to settle before making his move.
As the race entered the final three furlongs, Townend eased Il Etait Temps into a more forward position, dropping the horse into the lead with a confident stride. The 8‑11 favourite surged past Marine Nationale, who had been hampered earlier in his campaign, and opened a clear gap.
By the last fence Il Etait Temps was five lengths ahead, and the veteran Energumen—who was racing in what would become his final appearance—finished a respectable but distant third before being retired on the spot. Mullins could not hide his admiration for his champion: "He is an extraordinary horse.
He doesn’t look like a typical big chaser, but his strength and stamina are exceptional. After the mistake early in the race I thought, ‘wow’, when he recovered and found Marine Nationale at the third‑last. Marine Nationale is a very good horse with a solid engine, so to bounce back from a fall at Ascot in January and then win at Cheltenham is truly special. Paul rode him in top‑flight mode and the result shows the horse’s true class." He added a note on Majborough, suggesting the gelding might need a longer distance to showcase his best effort.
When asked about the retirement of 12‑year‑old Energumen, who also completed the Punchestown‑Cheltenham double twice, Mullins smiled: "He retires sound and happy after a fantastic career. He gave us a wonderful day at Fairyhouse at Easter, proving he could still roll back the years.
The ground was a little too firm for him today, but he still fought bravely. 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, was pleased with his runner despite a slightly lack‑luster finish: "I’m delighted with the effort. He hasn’t had the bounce this year, but his jumping is flawless with the cheekpieces on, and he was a touch flat on the run‑in. Normally he accelerates strongly at the second‑last, but today he seemed a little tired.
All credit to the winner – they pulled away cleanly. This performance sets us up for a promising campaign next season, and hopefully a bit of luck will follow him." The Punchestown Festival continued with Western Fold delivering a crucial win for Gordon Elliott’s bid for the trainers’ championship. In the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase, the 18‑1 outsider, ridden by Jack Kennedy, produced a masterclass on the final stretch, beating Fleur In The Park by three and three‑quarter lengths and securing a €73,625 prize. The race had started with Brown Advisory’s Kitzbuhel leading, only to fade as July Flower took over near the last fence.
Western Fold, who had been travelling well throughout, surged ahead in the closing stages, while Kitzbuhel was pulled up. Elliott praised his horse’s performance: "I was nervous about the three‑mile distance, but we rode him 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 Western Fold has shown he prefers softer ground, so a race like the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran in October might suit him better. He’ll have a short break now, and while the Galway Plate is tempting, his weight after today could be a factor." On the opening day of the festival, Eachtotheirown captured the Grade One PRL Champion Novice Hurdle in dominant fashion.
Jockey Sean Flanagan sent the seven‑year‑old straight to the front, and the 16‑1 shot never looked back, winning by four and a quarter lengths from Blake. Favourite El Cairos challenged briefly but could not sustain the pace and faded to fourth.
Connell explained his tactics: "He was a bit rank the previous day, so we gave him a free lead today. He’s only had a handful of hurdle runs but shows the heart of a chaser." Paddy Power offered Eachtotheirown a 40‑1 price for the Arkle Chase, and Connell confirmed the race is a prime target for next season: "He’s a genuine two‑miler who dislikes being restrained. We’ll start him in a beginners’ chase, then hit Leopardstown twice before heading to Cheltenham." In the Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, Kalix Delabarriere displayed a powerful finishing run, pulling clear of I'm Slippy and Messerschmitt to win by four lengths.
Mullins lauded the performance: "It was fantastic for Sean Cleary‑Farrell and the owners to win a big handicap at Fairyhouse and then repeat at Punchestown. We may have to raise his class, but for now we’ll keep him in hurdles before trying chasing next season. He’s a big, well‑built type with a real kick at the finish." Finally, Martin Brassil’s Abbeyglen impressed in the Goffs Defender Bumper, winning by five and a half lengths over Mullins’ Altesse Du LuY and taking the €59,000 prize. Brassil said: "He’s a big, leggy horse and today everything clicked.
He’ll get a break now to mature before we test his jumping ability. He has an excellent pedigree and a bright future." Brassil also gave an update on his staying chaser Fastorslow, noting that the horse remains on the easy list but is expected back in training around July or August, with plans to target autumn and winter campaigns.