Il Etait Temps once again proved why he belongs among the elite, adding a second top‑level triumph to his résumé by winning the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown after having already captured the two‑mile crown at Cheltenham. The French‑bred gelding, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, displayed the composure and speed that have become his trademark, solidifying his status as a modern classic chaser. The race unfolded with Marine Nationale, the horse that achieved the same prestigious double a year earlier, taking the early lead alongside Majborough. Paul Townend, who had been riding the Mullins stable’s star, elected to hold Il Etait Temps back in the early stages, allowing the field to settle before making his move.
As the five‑runner contest entered the final three furlongs, Townend eased the horse into a more favourable position, dropping him into a comfortable second place just behind the leader. Approaching the last turn, Il Etait Temps found a fresh rhythm, surged forward and began to open a gap on Marine Nationale, whose campaign had been interrupted by a series of setbacks. The Mullins runner stretched his lead to five lengths by the finish line, while the veteran Energumene, who had been battling for a place, managed to hold on for a respectable third before being retired on the spot. Mullins was effusive in his post‑race interview.
He praised Il Etait Temps as "a hell of a horse" who, despite not being a large animal, possesses remarkable strength and a deep reservoir of stamina. Mullins recalled a mistake the horse made earlier in the season, noting how the gelding recovered instantly, finding his stride beside Marine Nationale at the third‑last fence. He highlighted the significance of the horse’s comeback after a fall at Ascot’s Clarence House Chase in January, emphasizing that the victory at Cheltenham demonstrated the horse’s resilience when paired with a top‑flight jockey like Townend. Mullins also offered a brief assessment of Majborough, suggesting that the horse might benefit from a longer distance where he can settle into a steadier rhythm.
When asked about the retirement of the 12‑year‑old Energumene, who has also completed the Punchestown‑Cheltenham double twice, Mullins expressed gratitude for the champion’s longevity and class. He described Energumene as having retired "nice and sound" after delivering a "cracker" of a performance, recalling a memorable win at Fairyhouse over Easter where the older horse seemed to turn back the clock. Mullins noted that the ground conditions on the day were a bit too sunny for Energumene, but his speed and jumping ability still shone through, cementing his place in racing history.
Marine Nationale’s trainer, Barry Connell, was pleased with his horse’s effort despite acknowledging that the gelding had not shown his usual “bounce” this year. Connell praised Marine Nationale’s jumping technique, especially with his cheekpieces in place, but felt the horse ran a little flat in the final stages. He pointed out that the horse’s speed usually shines when he lands at the back of the second‑last fence, yet on this occasion he seemed to lack his typical vigor.
Connell gave credit to the winner, noting that the gap created by Il Etait Temps was significant, and expressed optimism that the performance would set up a promising campaign for Marine Nationale next season. In another highlight of the Punchestown meeting, Western Fold delivered a decisive victory for Gordon Elliott’s trainers’ championship campaign by winning the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase. The 18‑1 outsider, ridden by Jack Kennedy, turned the tables on the early leader Kitzbuhel, who had set a strong pace before fading near the finish. Western Fold, who had been travelling well throughout the race, surged ahead in the final stages, pulling away to win by three and three‑quarter lengths over Fleur In The Park, with a comfortable margin to the runner‑up.
Elliott praised the performance, admitting he had been nervous about the three‑mile distance but felt the horse was ridden perfectly “cold” on the day. He discussed potential future targets, mentioning the American Grand National—a Grade One race that his horse Zanahiyr won previously—and the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran in October.
Elliott emphasized that Western Fold thrives on softer ground, describing him as a "stone better" on such surfaces, and hinted that a brief break might be in order before planning the next campaign, possibly including a run in the Galway Plate if the weight conditions prove favorable. The opening day of the Punchestown Festival also saw Eachtotheirown dominate the Grade One PRL Champion Novice Hurdle. Starting at 16‑1, the seven‑year‑old broke cleanly, took the lead early and never looked back, winning by four and a quarter lengths from Blake. Barry Connell, who trained the runner‑up, explained that he had left Eachtotheirown in front to give him a free run, noting the horse’s limited hurdle experience but strong chaser potential.
Connell suggested that the Arkle Chase would be a logical target for next season, describing the gelding as an “out‑and‑out two‑miler” who prefers to run freely rather than being restrained. Kalix Delabarriere, a Willie Mullins‑trained gelding, showcased his finishing kick in the Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, pulling away on the run‑in to win by four lengths over I'm Slippy. Mullins highlighted the owner’s delight at seeing the horse succeed at both Fairyhouse and Punchestown, and hinted that the gelding may be moved up in class or switched to chasing next season after a period of rest.
In the Goffs Defender Bumper, Martin Brassil’s Abbeyglen delivered an impressive performance, winning by five and a half lengths over Mullins’ Altesse Du LuY and claiming the €59,000 prize. Brassil praised the big, leggy colt for delivering on his potential, noting that the horse will now be given a break to mature before taking on the rigors of jumping in future campaigns. Overall, the Punchestown Festival provided a thrilling conclusion to the Irish racing calendar, featuring classic double victories, surprise upsets, and promising glimpses of future stars. The performances of Il Etait Temps, Western Fold, and the emerging talent of Eachtotheirown underline the depth of quality in the current generation of National Hunt horses, while trainers like Willie Mullins and Barry Connell continue to demonstrate why they remain at the forefront of the sport.