PAUL Townend hailed dual Champion Chase hero Energumene as a 'horse of any rider's career' after the 12-year-old veteran defied father time with an exuberant display to land the Grade 2 Underwriting Exchange Fairyhouse Chase - his first win since the 2024 Hilly Way Chase.

Willie Mullins, who saddled a 1-2 with Blood Destiny in second, was thrilled with Tony Bloom’s veteran, though the race had a sad postscript with the same stable’s prolific winner Blood Destiny suffering a fatal injury at the third last fence.