WHILE Willie Mullins will rightly get full credit for his first victory in the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase, it was the French breeding world that celebrated this great win just as much, and the success once again showcased the importance and value of French stallions.

The eight-year-old Energumene is a non-thoroughbred son of Denham Red (Pampabird), the sire of another great Cheltenham star in Un De Sceaux. This was a third Grade 1 success for Energumene, previously successful in both the Arkle Chase at Leopardstown and the Colliers Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.