Il Etait Temps reinforced his status among the season’s elite by taking the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown, adding the five-furlong Punchestown prize to the two-mile crown he won at Cheltenham and registering his eighth Group/Grade One success.
Marine Nationale, who achieved the same Cheltenham–Punchestown double last year, set the early gallop alongside Majborough as Paul Townend kept the Willie Mullins-trained Il Etait Temps tucked in mid-division in the five-runner contest. After a blunder earlier in the race Townend allowed his mount to re-establish his rhythm before moving him forward approaching three out. Il Etait Temps took command two out and pulled clear, winning by five lengths as the veteran Energumene finished a distant but gallant third and was immediately retired.
Mullins paid tribute to the winner’s heart and resilience: “He is a hell of a horse. He isn’t a big chaser but he is strong and has huge reserves. After that mistake I was amazed as he came up beside Marine Nationale at the third-last. Marine Nationale is a fair horse to beat — to do what he did having fallen at Ascot and then win at Cheltenham was special, with Paul in top-flight jockey mode.” Mullins added that Majborough may prefer a slower, longer trip.
Reflecting on Energumene, a two-time Punchestown–Cheltenham double achiever, Mullins said: “He retires nice and sound and ran a cracker. He gave us such a great day at Fairyhouse and, while the ground was perhaps too quick for him today, he still fought hard. Winning his first Champion Chase at Cheltenham is a great memory — he had the speed and the jumping ability that marked him out.”
Trainer Barry Connell was upbeat about Marine Nationale’s performance despite suspecting the horse was a touch flat this spring. “I’m delighted with the run, but he hasn’t had the bounce of the ball this year. He jumps fantastically with those cheekpieces on and was foot-perfect, but I’d say he is a little flat. Normally when he lands at the back of the second-last, speed is his forte, and today he looked a bit flat. All credit to the winner — he was worthy on the day. This sets us up nicely for next season and hopefully we’ll have a bit more luck.”
Western Fold powers to Grade One for Elliott and Kennedy
Gordon Elliott boosted his trainers’ championship bid when Western Fold produced a late surge to win the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase. Kitzbuhel set a strong pace before tiring, July Flower briefly led approaching the final fence, and Western Fold jumped to the front to hold off Fleur In The Park and Nowwhatdoyouthink. Kitzbuhel was pulled up. The 18-1 shot, ridden by Jack Kennedy, stayed on strongly to win by three and three-quarter lengths and earn a €73,625 first prize.
Elliott said he had been concerned about the trip at three miles but felt the ride — holding the horse up early and riding him cold — paid off: “The last two times over it we rode him too handy. We rode him cold today and it was a good performance. He’s been busier than most and is one of our top earners this season.” Elliott confirmed the team have weighed up targets including the American Grand National and the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran in October, and suggested Galway might be possible but weight could be a factor after this win.
Eachtotheirown springs 16-1 surprise
Eachtotheirown led from the outset to land the Grade One PRL Champion Novice Hurdle on day one. Sean Flanagan sent the seven-year-old to the front and the 16-1 shot maintained that advantage, drawing clear to win by four and a quarter lengths from the staying-on Blake. Favourite El Cairos launched a bid two flights out but could not sustain it, finishing fourth behind Blake and Le Labo.
Barry Connell explained the tactical change after a disappointing Supreme Novices’ Hurdle effort: “He was rank the last day so the obvious thing was to leave him off in front today and he got a freebie. He’s only had a handful of runs over hurdles but he’s a chaser — a big stamp of a horse who has had to be waited for. He was like a chaser jumping his hurdles today and has a fair engine.” Connell said an Arkle bid is the likely plan next season. He envisages a beginners’ chase to start the campaign, then a couple of runs at Leopardstown before targeting Cheltenham.
Other results
Kalix Delabarriere won the Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, quickening clear on the run-in to beat I’m Slippy by four lengths. Willie Mullins praised jockey Sean Cleary-Farrell and the owners, hinting the big-raced Kalix Delabarriere could be stepped up in class or switched to chasing next term: “He’s a lovely big type and has that kick at the end of his races.”
Martin Brassil’s Abbeyglen took the Goffs Defender Bumper impressively, claiming the €59,000 winner’s purse with a five-and-a-half-length victory over Mullins’ Altesse Du LuY. Brassil said he plans to give the big, leggy colt time to mature before bringing him back for a jumping career. He also updated stable star Fastorslow, who remains on the easy list but is expected to return to training around July or August.