Il Etait Temps once again proved why he is regarded as a top‑class chaser when he added the William Hill Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival to his earlier triumph in the two‑mile crown at Cheltenham, marking his eighth win at the highest level. The French‑trained gelding, owned by the famed Marine Nationale partnership, completed the same prestigious double a year earlier, and this time he was accompanied on the track by the well‑handled Majborough. Jockey Paul Townend, who had already enjoyed success with Willie Mullins’ stable, chose to give Il Etait Temps a clear run in the middle of the five‑horse field.
Townend allowed the horse a few moments to settle after a minor mistake early in the race, then gradually brought him forward as they approached the final three furlongs. Riding the 8‑11 favourite, he guided the gelding to a prominent position, jumping two fences ahead of the pack. From there Il Etait Temps surged ahead, pulling away from Marine Nationale—a horse whose campaign had been disrupted by a series of setbacks—and finished five lengths clear. The veteran Energumene, who had been a consistent presence in top‑level races, held on for a respectable third place before being retired on the spot.
Willie Mullins, reflecting on his champion, said, "He is a remarkable horse. At first glance you wouldn't think he's built for big chases – he's not a massive animal – but he possesses tremendous strength and stamina.
After the mistake he made, I was impressed by how quickly he recovered, finding Marine Nationale at the third‑last fence and accelerating away. Marine Nationale is a solid competitor with 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 with top‑flight professionalism, and the result shows the horse's resilience. "Majborough may need a longer distance; perhaps a slower pace over a longer trip would allow him to settle and deliver his best performance." When asked about the retirement of the 12‑year‑old Energumene, who has twice completed the Punchestown‑Cheltenham double in his distinguished career, Mullins added, "He retires sound and healthy after a brilliant run.
He gave us a fantastic day at Fairyhouse at Easter, showing he could still roll back the years. The ground was a little too firm for him today, but he fought valiantly. 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, praised his runner despite the defeat: "I'm delighted with the performance, although he hasn't had the bounce this year. He jumps beautifully with his cheekpieces on and was perfectly balanced, but he seemed a bit flat in the closing stages.
Normally, when he lands at the back of the second‑last, his speed shines, but today he appeared to lose a little momentum. All credit to the winner, who pulled away decisively.
I don’t think his hold‑up affected him; his work at Fairyhouse a few weeks ago was excellent, and his recent training has been satisfactory. I feel he's a little flat today, but that doesn’t diminish the winner’s achievement. He is a worthy champion on the day and this sets us up for a promising campaign next season, hopefully with a touch of luck." In the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase, Western Fold gave Gordon Elliott’s bid for the trainers' championship a vital boost.
The 18‑1 outsider, trained by Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, produced a masterclass performance, winning by three and three‑quarter lengths and securing a €73,625 prize. The race had begun with Brown Advisory’s Kitzbuhel leading, but the favourite faded after the final fence, allowing July Flower to take the lead briefly before Western Fold surged ahead.
Fleur In The Park and Nowwhatdoyouthink also contested the finish, but Kitzbuhel was pulled up. Kennedy’s ride was praised by Elliott, who said, "I was nervous about the three‑mile distance, as we had previously taken him too lightly over that trip. Today we kept him cold, and it paid off.
He’s been busy all season and is among the top five earners. We considered the American Grand National, a Grade One race Zanahiyr won for us last year, but Western Fold has yet to succeed in open company in Ireland. The American race is a Grade One, so it’s tempting, but there’s also the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran in October and perhaps a pot‑hunt. The horse loves good ground and is a stone better on it." Elliott added, "He’ll have a short break now.
I’d love to target the Galway Plate, but the weight might be too high after today’s effort." On the opening day of the Punchestown Festival, Eachtotheirown captured the Grade One PRL Champion Novice Hurdle. Jockey Sean Flanagan sent the seven‑year‑old to the front early, and the 16‑1 shot never looked back, winning by four and a quarter lengths from Blake, who stayed on strongly. Favourite El Cairos challenged two flights out but could not sustain the pace and faded, eventually finishing fourth. Connell, who trained Eachtotheirown, explained his tactics: "He was a bit rank the previous day, so we left him off the pace today and he took a free ride.
He’s a good horse with limited hurdle experience, but he’s built like a chaser and has a solid engine." Paddy Power offered Eachtotheirown 40‑1 for the Arkle, and Connell confirmed that the Arkle Chase is his primary target for next season. "He’s a true two‑miler who dislikes being restrained. He’s been a slow burner, and after a quiet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he came here fresh.
Next season we’ll give him a beginners’ chase before the ground gets too soft, then run him at Leopardstown twice before aiming for Cheltenham." In the Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, Kalix Delabarriere, trained by Willie Mullins, produced a decisive finish, pulling four lengths clear of I’m Slippy, who had led over the final flight. Mullins praised the horse’s development: "It’s fantastic for Sean Cleary‑Farrell and the owners to win a big handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse and then repeat at Punchestown.
We may have to step him up in class, but we’ll likely keep him in hurdles for now before moving to chasing next season. He disappointed me two years ago when I thought he’d excel as a bumper, but after 18 months of work he’s found his stride.
He’s a big, powerful type with a strong finish." Finally, Martin Brassil’s Abbeyglen delivered an impressive performance in the Goffs Defender Bumper, winning by five and a half lengths and earning €59,000. Brassil commented, "It was wonderful to see him today; everything clicked. He’s a big, leggy horse and lived up to our expectations. He’s still a bit raw at home, but we’ll give him a break to mature before tackling the rigors of jumping.
He has an exciting pedigree and a bright future." Brassil also gave an update on his stable star Fastorslow, noting, "He remains on the easy list for now, but we hope to see him back in the autumn/winter. He should return to training around July or August as usual."