Il Etait Temps once again proved why he belongs at the very top of National Hunt racing, adding a second Grade 1 triumph to his impressive résumé by winning the William Hill Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival. This victory follows his earlier success over the same two‑mile distance at Cheltenham, giving the horse a coveted Punchestown‑Cheltenham double for the second time in his career. The race featured a small but high‑quality field that included the previous year’s double‑winner Marine Nationale and the well‑regarded Majborough.
Paul Townend, riding for the legendary trainer Willie Mullins, elected to give Il Etait Temps a clear run in the centre of the five‑horse line‑up, allowing the horse to settle after an early mistake. As the race approached the final three furlongs, the 8‑11 favourite began to find his rhythm, moving forward under Townend's confident guidance.
Approaching the last three fences, Il Etait Temps surged ahead, pulling away from Marine Nationale, whose campaign had been disrupted by a series of setbacks earlier in the season. The French‑bred veteran Energumene, who was making his final appearance before retirement, held on for a respectable third place, but the winner’s margin was decisive – Il Etait Temps crossed the line five lengths clear of his nearest rival. Willie Mullins praised his charge after the race, noting that the horse may not look like a typical big‑chaser but possesses an abundance of strength and stamina.
"He is a hell of a horse," Mullins said. "He isn’t a large animal, but he is incredibly strong and has huge reserves of energy. After he made a mistake early on, I thought ‘wow’ when he bounced back beside Marine Nationale at the third‑last.
Marine Nationale is a solid horse with a good engine, so to recover and win after a fall at Ascot’s Clarence House Chase in January is truly special." Mullins also commented on Majborough, suggesting the horse might benefit from a longer distance where he could settle into a steadier rhythm. He added that the 12‑year‑old Energumene retired in sound condition, having given fans a memorable performance at Fairyhouse earlier in the year and a historic victory in his first Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
"He retired nice and sound after a cracker of a race," Mullins said. "He gave us a great day out at Fairyhouse when he rolled back the years, and his speed and jumping ability made his Cheltenham win unforgettable." Marine Nationale’s trainer, Barry Connell, expressed satisfaction with his horse’s effort despite acknowledging a lack of bounce in his performance.
"He jumps fantastically well with his cheekpieces on and was foot‑perfect, but I’d say he looked a little flat today," Connell explained. He noted that Marine Nationale’s best speed usually comes at the back of the second‑last fence, and while the horse didn’t quite hit that stride, he still earned credit for a solid run. Connell remains optimistic about the horse’s future campaign, hoping a bit of luck will see him thrive next season. In another highlight of the Punchestown meeting, Western Fold delivered a crucial win for Gordon Elliott’s bid for the trainers’ championship.
The 18‑1 outsider, ridden by Jack Kennedy, produced a powerful finish in the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase, edging out Fleur In The Park by three and three‑quarter lengths and earning a €73,625 prize. Western Fold had been a factor throughout the race, staying close to the early leader Kitzbuhel before pulling ahead as the finish approached. Elliott praised the horse’s adaptability, noting that they had previously tried him over three miles with mixed results, but the softer ground suited him perfectly. He hinted at future plans that could include a trip to the United States for the American Grand National or a return to Ireland for the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran in October, emphasizing the importance of ground conditions for the horse’s performance.
The festival also saw Eachtotheirown dominate the Grade One PRL Champion Novice Hurdle, leading from the start and winning by four and a quarter lengths. Trainer Barry Connell explained that the horse had been left out of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham to preserve his freshness, and the strategy paid off. He described Eachtotheirown as a “big‑stamp” horse with a strong engine, noting that while the horse has only a handful of hurdle runs, he is already showing the qualities of a future top‑class chaser.
Connell confirmed that the Arkle Chase is a prime target for next season, as the horse prefers a two‑mile trip where he can run freely without being restrained. In the Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, Kalix Delabarriere, trained by Willie Mullins, displayed a turn of foot to win by four lengths over I'm Slippy.
Mullins lauded the performance, saying it was a fantastic achievement for jockey Sean Cleary‑Farrell and the owners, and hinted that the horse may be moved up in class or aimed at chasing next season. Finally, Martin Brassil’s Abbeyglen captured the Goffs Defender Bumper, beating Mullins’ Altesse Du LuY by five and a half lengths. Brassil praised the colt’s temperament and physical attributes, noting that he will be given a break to mature before tackling the rigours of jumping in the future.
Brassil also provided an update on his staying chaser Fastorslow, confirming that the horse remains on the training list and is expected to return to work in the summer months. Overall, the Punchestown Festival delivered a blend of thrilling victories, strategic trainer insights, and promising prospects for the upcoming National Hunt season, setting the stage for exciting campaigns at Cheltenham, Fairyhouse, and beyond.