Il Etait Temps completes Cheltenham-Punchestown Champion Chase double

Il Etait Temps successfully completed the Cheltenham-Punchestown Champion Chase double with a victory at the Co Kildare track on Tuesday.

A small but select field contested the William Hill Champion Chase over two miles, with Willie Mullins accounting for four of the field, namely Il Etait Temps, Majborough, Energumene and Blood Destiny, with Barry Connell’s former Cheltenham Festival winner, Marine Nationale the other contestant.

The enigmatic Majborough with Mark Walsh in the saddle, and the Seán Flanagan-ridden Marine Nationale dominated the early stages of the Grade 1 race as they set the tempo out front.

Paul Townend on the race favourite, Il Etait Temps, and Danny Mullins on the 12-year-old Energumene, for whom it would be his final race, were third and fourth, with Brian Hayes and Blood Destiny bringing up the rear.

As the pace increased on entering the home straight, Lisgoold-born Townend came with his challenge on the grey son of the late Jukebox Jury. The victory for the French-bred never looked in doubt as he ran out a five-length victor over Marine Nationale, the only Irish-bred in the race.

The brave Energumene took third on his final racecourse appearance, 23 lengths behind the runner-up. Majborough was a further 10 lengths behind in fourth position, with Blood Destiny last home, a further 19 lengths adrift of the J.P. McManus-owned Majborough.

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