Il Etait Temps once again proved why he is regarded as one of the sport's elite, adding a second top‑level triumph to his résumé by winning the William Hill Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival after having captured the two‑mile crown at Cheltenham. The French‑trained gelding, owned by the renowned trainer team of Willie Mullins, displayed the composure and speed that have become his trademarks throughout the day. Marine Nationale, the horse that achieved the same double a year earlier, set the early pace alongside Majborough, while Paul Townend, who had been riding the Mullins‑trained Il Etait Temps, chose to settle the champion in the middle of a modest five‑horse field.
Townend gave his mount a chance to recover from an earlier misstep, allowing him to find a rhythm before urging him forward as they approached the final three furlongs. The favourite, starting at odds of 8‑11, surged ahead with a clean, efficient stride, pulling away from Marine Nationale, whose campaign has been somewhat disrupted this season.
Il Etait Temps extended his lead to five lengths at the finish, while veteran Energumene, who had already announced his retirement, held on for a respectable third place. Mullins, visibly proud, praised his horse, noting that despite his relatively modest size, Il Etait Temps possesses a remarkable amount of strength and stamina.
"He may not look like a typical big chaser, but his power is immense," the trainer said. He added that the horse showed a huge reserve of energy after the earlier mistake, quickly recovering and finishing strongly alongside Marine Nationale, a horse known for a solid engine.
Mullins also reflected on Il Etait Temps' resilience after a fall at the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January. "To bounce back from that and win at Cheltenham was extraordinary, especially with Paul riding in top‑flight jockey mode," he explained.
The trainer offered a brief assessment of Majborough, suggesting the horse might benefit from a longer distance where he could settle into a steadier rhythm. The 12‑year‑old Energumene, who has completed the Punchestown‑Cheltenham double twice in his distinguished career, was retired on the day. Mullins highlighted the gelding's soundness and the joy he brought to the crowd at Fairyhouse during Easter, remarking that the firm ground was not ideal for him but he still put up a valiant effort. "Winning his first Champion Chase at Cheltenham is a memory that will stay with us forever.
He had the speed and the jumping ability that set him apart," the trainer said. Marine Nationale's trainer, Barry Connell, expressed satisfaction with his horse's performance despite a slightly flat run. He praised Marine Nationale's jumping technique, especially when wearing cheekpieces, but noted that the horse seemed a little lacking in vigor on the final stretch.
Connell emphasized that the winner deserved full credit and that his own horse's showing bodes well for the upcoming season, hoping for a bit of luck and a strong campaign. In another highlight of the festival, Western Fold delivered a crucial win for Gordon Elliott's bid for the trainers' championship in the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase.
The race began with Brown Advisory's Kitzbuhel taking an early lead, only to fade as July Flower challenged him approaching the final fence. Western Fold, ridden by Jack Kennedy, produced a decisive turn of foot, pulling away to win by three and three‑quarter lengths and securing a €73,625 prize. The 18‑1 outsider proved his class over the three‑mile distance, a trip that Elliott had previously found challenging with other horses.
Elliott was enthusiastic about the result, noting that the horse had been over‑worked compared with his peers but still managed a top‑five earning season. He mentioned potential future plans, including a possible run in the American Grand National, a race his horse Zanahiyr won last year, as well as the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran in October.
"The key to this horse is the ground; he performs best on softer going," Elliott added, also hinting that a brief break might be needed before targeting the Galway Plate, where weight could become a factor. The opening day of the Punchestown Festival also saw Eachtotheirown claim the Grade One PRL Champion Novice Hurdle. Ridden by Sean Flanagan, the seven‑year‑old surged to the front early and never looked back, winning by four and a quarter lengths from Blake. Barry Connell, the trainer, explained that after a modest performance in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, they opted to let the horse lead from the start, which paid dividends.
Connell sees the horse as a future two‑mile chaser, with the Arkle Chase on his radar for next season, noting that the gelding prefers to run freely rather than being restrained. In the Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, Kalix Delabarriere, trained by Willie Mullins, demonstrated a powerful finish, pulling away from I'm Slippy and Messerschmitt to win by four lengths. Mullins praised the horse's development, acknowledging that it took 18 months to bring the colt to his current level. He hinted that the horse may be aimed at chasing next season after a successful run in both the Fairyhouse and Punchestown festivals.
Finally, Martin Brassil celebrated a dominant victory in the Goffs Defender Bumper with Abbeyglen, who won by five and a half lengths over Mullins' Altesse Du LuY, earning €59,000. Brassil described the win as a confirmation of the horse's potential, emphasizing his size and pedigree, and announced plans to give the colt a break to mature before tackling jumps in the future. An update on another stable star, Fastorslow, indicated that the staying chaser remains on the easy list and is expected to return to training in the summer months. Overall, the Punchestown Festival delivered a blend of thrilling finishes, strategic masterstrokes from top trainers, and promising glimpses of future stars, reinforcing its status as a cornerstone of the Irish racing calendar.