Il Etait Temps (8/11f) proved too good for last year’s Champion Chase victor Marine Nationale, as the Willie Mullins-trained grey ran out a commanding winner of the William Hill-sponsored Grade 1.

The favourite initially raced prominently under Paul Townend but was pushed further back after making a bad mistake at the third fence. Marine Nationale, whose rider and trainer landed the first Grade 1 of the Festival with Eachtotheirown, continued to make the running in first-time cheekpieces.

Il Etait Temps jumped past stablemate Majborough, who was coming under pressure, over the third last and loomed threateningly alongside Marine Nationale in the straight. The grey soon led and, despite less-than-smooth jumps over the final two fences, maintained his advantage after the last.

The favourite kept on well under hands and heels to win by five lengths, as Marine Nationale finished 23 lengths clear of the third horse, Energumene, who was making the final start of his accomplished career.

Joined by Wayne Kieswetter of Barnane Stud, and after paying testament to the winner’s absent South African-based owners, Mullins commented: “He’s a hell of a horse. Looking at him, he doesn’t exactly scream big chaser to you – he’s not a big horse, but he’s a strong horse.”

Mullins went on to say that he believed the winner’s early blunder was a blessing in disguise. “Everyone was looking at Majborough, but this fella made a worse mistake, but it was the winning of the race for him,” the trainer explained.

“It took him out of the race and Paul just sat him in behind, which meant he had something in reserve. Marine Nationale is a fair horse to beat; he’s got a huge engine.”

Impressive CV

Incredibly, Il Etait Temps has won seven of his last eight starts, most recently winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase by an impressive 10 lengths. Two months prior, connections were given cause for concern when the Jukebox Jury gelding suffered a bad fall at the second last in the Clarence House Chase.

“Very few horses can do what he did – get a fall like that at Sandown and come back and win at Cheltenham,” Mullins reflected. “I think the ride of the week at Cheltenham was Paul on this horse in the Champion Chase. To me, that was Paul in top-flight jockey mode.”

Mullins, who enjoyed a treble on the card, went on to pay testament to Energumene, who retires with 12 career wins, six of them Grade 1s and four of them Grade 2s, and over €1.4million in prize money.

“He retires nice and sound,” said Mullins. “He gave us all such a great day out in Fairyhouse the last day – he rolled back the years. It’s too sunny for him here today but he still put up a great show. It was great to see him finishing third.”

The five runners arrived down at the start 10 minutes before the race, which saw a number dismounted and walked by their riders. Following the race, the Raceday Stewards interviewed IHRB Clerk of the Course, Brendan Sheridan, concerning the early arrival to post.

Evidence was heard from Sheridan, who stated that he had mistaken the time, adding that it was human error and apologised for any inconvenience caused. Having considered the evidence, the stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.