Il Etait Temps stamps his authority in William Hill Champion Chase

Il Etait Temps stamped himself irrefutably as the premier two-mile chaser on the planet, when following up his victory at Cheltenham with a comprehensive triumph in the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival, which attracted an attendance of 17,923, up 81 from last year.

The gelding is undoubtedly suitably named, for it is indeed about time that the eight-year-old earns his due recognition. It was an 11th career victory for Hollywood Racing & Barnane Stud’s son of Jukebox Jury and eighth at the highest level.

Remarkably, it was only the second of those elite triumphs in which he was favourite but he was heavily supported throughout the day, going off at 8/11.

Barry Connell and Seán Flanagan had already enjoyed Grade 1 success when Eachtotheirown claimed the PRL Champion Novice Hurdle but they had to settle for the runner-up slot on this occasion with their pride and joy Marine Nationale, who was five lengths in arrears at the line.

Energumene, who achieved the Cheltenham-Punchestown double twice, came home 23 lengths further back in what was confirmed as the final racecourse appearance for Tony Bloom’s brilliant veteran.

Trainer Willie Mullins saddled the first, third and fourth to take the lead in the trainers’ championship as he pursues his 20th title, Majborough fading badly having made much of the running with Marine Nationale.

Il Etait Temps made an early mistake after racing prominently but Paul Townend allowed him to bide his time and after clearing the third-last, it was evident that the grey was travelling best and only had to stay upright to prevail.

“He’s a hell of a horse,” said Mullins. “When you look at him, he doesn’t exactly scream big chaser to you. He’s not a big horse, but he’s a strong horse. And the reserves he has, because he made a huge mistake at that fence going down the hill there, and then Paul just settled him in there.

“And when I saw him coming up beside Marine Nationale going to the third-last, I said, ‘Wow, hopefully he just keeps jumping from here on home.’ And that’s what he did. Marine Nationale is a fair horse to beat.

“I think (the mistake) was the winning of the race as it took him out of the race and Paul just settled him in behind and it meant he had something in reserve.” Connell gave tribute to the victor but felt his charge might not have been at his optimum today.

“He jumped fantastic with those cheekpieces on,” Connell declared. “He was foot-perfect and saw a couple of long ones there.

“I’d say he’s probably a little flat (though). Normally, when you land there at the back of the second-last, speed is his big forte, and he looked like he ran a bit flat today.

“All credit to the winner. There’s no doubt he was a worthy winner on the day.” This was the second leg of an opening day treble for Mullins, who had bagged the Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle with Kalix Delabarriere.

As is customary, the Closutton maestro secured the nightcap, the Willie Coonan Memorial INH Flat Race, with Delamotte, his son and champion amateur, Patrick delivering the 7/2 joint favourite over the top of the leaders to prevail by three lengths from a rare NH runner for Jim Bolger, the Teofilio homebred, Teofil.

Gordon Elliott entered the week leading the trainers’ championship but has long conceded to Mullins and repeated the message, even after Western Fold (18/1) pulled off a shock victory in the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase.

It was a 12th Grade 1 of the season for Elliott, and with Teahupoo and Wodhooh to come, he has a good chance of at least equalling his previous best tally of 13.

Western Fold was produced late by champion jockey-elect, Jack Kennedy, and with Fleur In The Park, who had given trainer Andy Slattery and jockey Cian Quirke their first Grade 1s at Fairyhouse three weeks ago, not enjoying a clear run, Elliott’s charge was able to win by three and a quarter lengths.

Brown Advisory victor, Kitzbuhel set the early tempo but the 4/5 favourite emptied very quickly and was pulled up.

“I’d say we ran him too handy at Cheltenham,” said Elliott of his winner. “We said we’d drop in and see if we could pick up some prize money.

“We rode him cold today and it was a good performance. Some horses come to the end of their season around now but he has been busier than most and is one of the top five earners this season.

“I’m delighted for Jack. I’ve no chance of winning the championship. It’s great to get a winner and we’re one short of our best season now for Grade 1s so it’s been a great season.” Kennedy was ecstatic too.

“He was probably a little bit over-priced coming into this race,” the Dingle pilot reflected. “I definitely thought he’d fit in a place anyway.

“He jumped brilliant and done it very well. He’s been a great horse and come up through the handicaps and just kept improving. “He’s an unbelievable jumper. He actually wasn’t great over hurdles but fences have really brought out the best in him.

Abbeyglen looks a promising recruit to the game for local owners Seán and Bernardine Mulryan, and Curragh trainer Martin Brassil, after streaking clear by five and a half lengths under John Gleeson to land the prestigious Goffs Defender Bumper.

A full-brother to Keskonrisk, a two-mile bumper and hurdle winner, the four-year-old No Risk At All gelding looks a star of the future.

“It was just lovely to get him here today and everything worked out,” said Brassil. “We were minding him as he is a big, leggy horse and he fulfilled what we were hoping. He shows a bit at home and we were happy to let him take his chance.

“He will get a break now as we want to let him mature a bit so he can withstand the rigours of jumping. He is a very exciting horse with a lovely pedigree.”

mps stamps his authority in William Hill Champion Chase Il Etait Temps stamped himself irrefutably as the premier two-mile chaser on the planet, when following up his victory at Cheltenham with a comprehensive triumph in the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival, which attracted an attendance of 17,923, up 81 from last year.

The gelding is undoubtedly suitably named, for it is indeed about time that the eight-year-old earns his due recognition. It was an 11th career victory for Hollywood Racing & Barnane Stud’s son of Jukebox Jury and eighth at the highest level.

Remarkably, it was only the second of those elite triumphs in which he was favourite but he was heavily supported throughout the day, going off at 8/11.

Barry Connell and Seán Flanagan had already enjoyed Grade 1 success when Eachtotheirown claimed the PRL Champion Novice Hurdle but they had to settle for the runner-up slot on this occasion with their pride and joy Marine Nationale, who was five lengths in arrears at the line.

Energumene, who achieved the Cheltenham-Punchestown double twice, came home 23 lengths further back in what was confirmed as the final racecourse appearance for Tony Bloom’s brilliant veteran.

Trainer Willie Mullins saddled the first, third and fourth to take the lead in the trainers’ championship as he pursues his 20th title, Majborough fading badly having made much of the running with Marine Nationale.

Il Etait Temps made an early mistake after racing prominently but Paul Townend allowed him to bide his time and after clearing the third-last, it was evident that the grey was travelling best and only had to stay upright to prevail.

“He’s a hell of a horse,” said Mullins. “When you look at him, he doesn’t exactly scream big chaser to you. He’s not a big horse, but he’s a strong horse. And the reserves he has, because he made a huge mistake at that fence going down the hill there, and then Paul just settled him in there.

“And when I saw him coming up beside Marine Nationale going to the third-last, I said, ‘Wow, hopefully he just keeps jumping from here on home.’ And that’s what he did. Marine Nationale is a fair horse to beat.

“I think (the mistake) was the winning of the race as it took him out of the race and Paul just settled him in behind and it meant he had something in reserve.” Connell gave tribute to the victor but felt his charge might not have been at his optimum today.

“He jumped fantastic with those cheekpieces on,” Connell declared. “He was foot-perfect and saw a couple of long ones there.

“I’d say he’s probably a little flat (though). Normally, when you land there at the back of the second-last, speed is his big forte, and he looked like he ran a bit flat today.

“All credit to the winner. There’s no doubt he was a worthy winner on the day.” This was the second leg of an opening day treble for Mullins, who had bagged the Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle with Kalix Delabarriere.

As is customary, the Closutton maestro secured the nightcap, the Willie Coonan Memorial INH Flat Race, with Delamotte, his son and champion amateur, Patrick delivering the 7/2 joint favourite over the top of the leaders to prevail by three lengths from a rare NH runner for Jim Bolger, the Teofilio homebred, Teofil.

Gordon Elliott entered the week leading the trainers’ championship but has long conceded to Mullins and repeated the message, even after Western Fold (18/1) pulled off a shock victory in the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase.

It was a 12th Grade 1 of the season for Elliott, and with Teahupoo and Wodhooh to come, he has a good chance of at least equalling his previous best tally of 13.

Western Fold was produced late by champion jockey-elect, Jack Kennedy, and with Fleur In The Park, who had given trainer Andy Slattery and jockey Cian Quirke their first Grade 1s at Fairyhouse three weeks ago, not enjoying a clear run, Elliott’s charge was able to win by three and a quarter lengths.

Brown Advisory victor, Kitzbuhel set the early tempo but the 4/5 favourite emptied very quickly and was pulled up.

“I’d say we ran him too handy at Cheltenham,” said Elliott of his winner. “We said we’d drop in and see if we could pick up some prize money.

“We rode him cold today and it was a good performance. Some horses come to the end of their season around now but he has been busier than most and is one of the top five earners this season.

“I’m delighted for Jack. I’ve no chance of winning the championship. It’s great to get a winner and we’re one short of our best season now for Grade 1s so it’s been a great season.” Kennedy was ecstatic too.

“He was probably a little bit over-priced coming into this race,” the Dingle pilot reflected. “I definitely thought he’d fit in a place anyway.

“He jumped brilliant and done it very well. He’s been a great horse and come up through the handicaps and just kept improving. “He’s an unbelievable jumper. He actually wasn’t great over hurdles but fences have really brought out the best in him.

Abbeyglen looks a promising recruit to the game for local owners Seán and Bernardine Mulryan, and Curragh trainer Martin Brassil, after streaking clear by five and a half lengths under John Gleeson to land the prestigious Goffs Defender Bumper.

A full-brother to Keskonrisk, a two-mile bumper and hurdle winner, the four-year-old No Risk At All gelding looks a star of the future.

“It was just lovely to get him here today and everything worked out,” said Brassil. “We were minding him as he is a big, leggy horse and he fulfilled what we were hoping. He shows a bit at home and we were happy to let him take his chance.

“He will get a break now as we want to let him mature a bit so he can withstand the rigours of jumping. He is a very exciting horse with a lovely pedigree.”