ALL eyes were on the rematch of three Clarence House Chase foes in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, but the feature turned into a procession for reigning title holder Energumene, who took full advantage of Edwardstone and Editeur Du Gite blowing out in a bloodless victory.

Willie Mullins had been waiting his entire career to win the Festival’s premier two-mile chase before the Tony Bloom-owned nine-year-old’s breakout success in 2022, but he has now won the Champion Chase twice in the space of two years.

Energumene, sent off the 6/5 favourite under Paul Townend, was barely made to break sweat on his way to a dominant 10-length rout over the only other Irish runner in the race, Captain Guinness, who posted a cracking effort in defeat at 12/1.

Edwardstone never really appeared to travel strongly and didn’t give his true running, beaten 64 lengths in fifth, while Editeur Du Gite faded to be beaten 34 lengths in fourth.

Mullins said: “Paul came home from the Clarence House and told us they won’t beat Energumene again. The horse’s work, jumping and everything has been brilliant. We just had our fingers crossed for a clear round. His performance exceeded my expectations. I was hoping to win but the way he did it was something else.

“It looks like he has improved from last year. What can I say, hopefully he will hold that form until next year. I’ll be praying for this sort of rain this time next year. The whole game plan will be to work back from this next year.”

‘Dream ride’ for Townend

Townend refused to be drawn on comparisons between Energumene and Tuesday’s brilliant Arkle winner El Fabiolo. Ireland’s champion jockey was bowled over, though, by the nature of the Champion Chase victory.

“That was easy, to be honest,” said Townend. “I got in a lovely rhythm on him. After the first two fences he was taking them on, he was quick at them, and it was simple. He allowed me to ride him more forward than in the Clarence House Chase because he took on his fences better today.

“Looser ground probably helped as well and played a factor in it, but he was just more forward. He felt a different horse today. It was a dream ride and I was able to take it all in coming up the straight, which doesn’t usually happen in these championship races.”

Henry de Bromhead was thrilled with the effort of well-backed second Captain Guinness and said: “We came here hoping we’d hit the frame. It was a brilliant run and he jumped great. The winner was just too good for us.”

On bitterly disappointing 15/8 shot Edwardstone, trainer Alan King added: “I have never been happier with him coming into the race and he has never missed a day at home, but he was beaten after two fences and just never going at any stage of the race.

“I cannot blame the ground as he has won on it before - I just don’t know what it is. I am at a total loss. Something must be amiss and hopefully it will come to light.”