Il Etait Temps again demonstrated his class as he won at the highest level for the eighth time in adding the William Hill Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival to his two-mile crown from Cheltenham.
Marine Nationale – who completed the same double 12 months ago – took the field along in company with Majborough, with Paul Townend happy to drop the Willie Mullins-trained Il Etait Temps in the middle of the five runners.
Townend had given Il Etait Temps time to find his stride again after an earlier mistake and started to get lower in the saddle aboard the 8-11 favourite as they approached three from home, jumping two out in front.
"Il Etait Temps joins the greats"
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 28, 2026
Il Etait Temps finishes with a flourish to see off the challenge of Marine Nationale in the William Hill Champion Chase. pic.twitter.com/VLTaBGeHsw
He then stretched out to leave Marine Nationale – who has had an interrupted campaign – in his wake, winning by five lengths as the veteran Energumene kept on for a distant but creditable third – after which he was immediately retired.
Mullins said of his winner: "He is a hell of a horse and when you look at him, he doesn't exactly scream a big chaser to you. He isn’t a big horse, but he is strong.
"He has huge reserves as, having made that mistake, I thought 'wow’ as he came up beside Marine Nationale afterwards at the third-last. Marine Nationale is a fair horse to beat as he has a fair engine.
"To do what he did having fallen at Ascot (Clarence House Chase in January) and come back to win at Cheltenham was special, when Paul was in top-flight jockey mode.
"Majborough needs a longer trip, he might be better going slower over a longer tip and getting his act together."
On retiring the 12-year-old Energumene, who has done the Punchestown-Cheltenham double twice in his magnificent career, he added: "He retires nice and sound and ran a cracker. He gave us all such a great day out at Fairyhouse (at Easter) when he rolled back the years.
"It is too sunny (ground-wise) for him today, but he still put up a great battle. Winning his first Champion Chase in Cheltenham is a great memory. He had that speed and ability to jump and that marked him out."
Owner Wayne Kieswetter and trainer Willie Mullins react to the win for Il Etait Temps in the William Hill Champion Chase and pay tribute to the retiring Energumene.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 28, 2026
Day 2 of Punchestown returns on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player on Wednesday from 3.30pm. pic.twitter.com/Mx48VTysJf
Of Marine Nationale, meanwhile, trainer Barry Connell said: "I’m delighted with the run, but he has not had the bounce of the ball this year. He jumps fantastically well with those cheekpieces on and was foot-perfect, but I’d say he is a little bit flat.
"Normally when he lands at the back of the second-last, speed is his forte and he looked like he ran a bit flat. All credit to the winner and they pulled a long way clear of the rest of them.
"I don’t think his hold-up affected him and while I knew Eachtotheirown’s (winner of the Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle earlier in the day) work was excellent, Marine Nationale did a great piece of work at Fairyhouse three or four weeks ago but his work since has been OK.
"My own inclination is that he is a little flat, but take nothing away from the winner. There is no doubt he is a worthy winner on the day.
"This sets us up for a nice campaign next season and hopefully we’ll have a bit luck with him."
Watch the Punchestown Festival from Tuesday to Thursday at 3.30pm and 4pm on Friday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with more live coverage on Saturday from 3pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player
