Il Etait Temps once again proved why he belongs among the elite, adding a second top‑class triumph to his résumé by winning the William Hill Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival after having already captured the two‑mile crown at Cheltenham. This impressive double underscores the horse's consistency at the highest level of National Hunt racing. The field for the Punchestown race featured a familiar rival in Marine Nationale, who had completed the same double exactly a year earlier, and the seasoned campaigner Majborough. Jockey Paul Townend, who had been riding the Willie Mullins‑trained Il Etait Temps throughout the season, chose to hold the horse back early in the five‑runner contest, allowing the race to unfold before making his move.
Townend gave Il Etait Temps a chance to settle after an early mistake, and as the race entered the final three furlongs, the 8‑11 favourite began to find his rhythm. He surged forward, jumping cleanly and gaining a clear advantage two fences from the finish. From there, he extended his lead, leaving Marine Nationale—who has had an interrupted campaign—struggling to keep pace. Il Etait Temps crossed the line five lengths ahead, while the veteran Energumene, who was pulled up immediately after the finish, managed a respectable, though distant, third place.
Willie Mullins praised his winner, saying, "He may not look like a typical big chaser, but he is incredibly strong and has enormous reserves of stamina. After the mistake, I was amazed at how quickly he recovered and was back alongside Marine Nationale at the third‑last. Marine Nationale is a solid horse with a good engine, so beating him after a fall at Ascot's Clarence House Chase in January and then winning at Cheltenham was truly special." Mullins also commented on Majborough, noting that the horse might benefit from a longer distance, "perhaps a slower, more testing trip would allow him to settle and show his true ability." When the 12‑year‑old Energumene was retired after his second Punchestown‑Cheltenham double, Mullins reflected, "He retires sound and healthy after a brilliant career. He gave us a wonderful day at Fairyhouse at Easter, looking much younger than his years.
The ground was a bit too firm for him today, but he still fought hard. Winning his first Champion Chase at Cheltenham will always be a cherished memory; his speed and jumping talent set him apart." Marine Nationale's trainer, Barry Connell, was pleased with his horse's effort despite a less than ideal run. "He hasn't had the bounce this year, but his jumping is flawless with those cheekpieces on.
He seemed a little flat on the finish, especially after the second‑last. The winner was simply superior and pulled clear.
I don't think the hold‑up affected him, and while his recent work has been average, he showed a great piece of work at Fairyhouse a few weeks ago. He remains a worthy contender and this performance sets us up for a promising campaign next season," Connell said. The Punchestown Festival also delivered a boost for Gordon Elliott's trainers' championship hopes when Western Fold, an 18‑1 outsider, prevailed in the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase.
The race began with Brown Advisory star Kitzbuhel leading, but the front‑runner faded as the finish approached. July Flower briefly took the lead at the final fence, yet Western Fold, ridden by Jack Kennedy, surged ahead to claim the €73,625 prize by three and three‑quarter lengths from Fleur In The Park, trained by Andrew Slattery. Elliott praised the performance, "We were nervous about the three‑mile distance, having ridden him too lightly in his previous attempts. Today we gave him a firm ride and it paid off.
Some horses finish their season around now, but Western Fold has been busy and is already among the top five earners this year. We considered the American Grand National, a Grade One race Zanahiyr won for us, but we also have the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran in October and possibly a pot‑hunt.
The key for him is the ground; he loves softer going. He'll have a short break, and while I'd love a Galway Plate run, the weight might be too high after today." On the opening day of the Punchestown Festival, Eachtotheirown delivered a dominant performance in 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 for second. Favourite El Cairos attempted a challenge two flights from the finish but faded, eventually finishing fourth behind Gordon Elliott’s El Cairos.
Trainer Barry Connell explained his tactics, "Eachtotheirown was a bit rank the previous day, so we left him out front today and he took advantage. He's only had a few hurdle runs but shows the stamina of a chaser. He's a big, powerful horse and jumped his hurdles like a true chaser, displaying a solid engine." Paddy Power offered 40‑1 odds for the Arkle Chase, and Connell confirmed the race is a target for next season, "He's a genuine two‑miler who hates being restrained. He'll likely start with a beginners' chase before the ground gets too firm, then race at Leopardstown twice before heading to Cheltenham." In the Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, Kalix Delabarriere, trained by Willie Mullins, surged ahead on the run‑in to win comfortably.
I'm Slippy, who had a narrow lead at the last fence, was overtaken, and finished four lengths behind the winner. Mullins commented, "It was fantastic for Sean Cleary‑Farrell and the owners to win a big handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse and then repeat the performance at Punchestown. We may step Kalix up in class next season, but for now he'll likely move to chasing.
He took longer than expected to develop; two years ago I thought he'd be a good bumper, but it took 18 months to find his true potential. He's a big, well‑built type with a great finishing kick." Martin Brassil's Abbeyglen delivered an impressive victory in the Goffs Defender Bumper, winning by five and a half lengths over Mullins' Altesse Du LuY and taking home the €59,000 prize.
Brassil said, "It was wonderful to see him perform today; he's a big, leggy horse and he fulfilled our expectations. He showed a lot of promise at home and we gave him the chance to run his race. We'll give him a break now to let him mature before tackling the rigors of jumping. He's an exciting prospect with a strong pedigree." Brassil also gave an update on stable star Fastorslow, a staying chaser, stating, "He's still on the easy list, but we hope to see him return in the autumn or winter.
He should be back in training around the usual July or August timeframe." Overall, the Punchestown Festival showcased a blend of seasoned champions, emerging talent, and strategic decisions that will shape the upcoming National Hunt season. From Il Etait Temps' historic double to Western Fold's surprise triumph and the promising performances of younger horses like Eachtotheirown and Kalix Delabarriere, the meeting provided plenty of storylines for fans and connections alike.