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.