Il Etait Temps survived a last-flight scare to land the Queen Mother Champion Chase on day two of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Willie Mullins’ gallant grey bounced back from a heavy fall in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot to win the showpiece two-mile event by ten lengths at the odds of 5/2.
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Jumping the name of the game
Paul Townend’s mount sat off the pace throughout and came to the fore after stablemate and race favourite Majborough made a juddering error at the top of the hill.
That would spell the end of his chances and gave way for what looked to be a three-way fight between Il Etait Temps, L’Eau du Sud and Quilixios.
But it was the eight-year-old who kicked on but Townend was not allowed to count his winnings just yet.
With the race at his mercy at the last fence, Il Etait Temps made a horrendous mistake and pecked on landing.
The partnership remained intact though and the son of Jukebox Jury powered clear up the hill to give Mullins a third Champion Chase in five years.
Tale of the field
The fast fractions set by Majborough early on meant that many felt the pinch when it came to climb the hill.
The fast-finishing Liberty Hunter stormed home to take second place for champion jockey Sean Bowen, whilst L’Eau du Sud kept on to take the final place on the podium.
Captain Guinness, a former winner of the race, stayed on for fourth ahead of the tired Quilixios – who had contested that early pace alongside Majborough.
The sole novice in the field, Irish Panther, also made a shuddering error at the last fence and he came home in fifth.
The 5/6 favourite Majborough was behind him, some 25 lengths off his victorious stablemate.
Brookie rounded out the field, a long way back, whilst Found A Fifty and Saint Segal failed to finish – both pulling-up.
Winning reactions?
Speaking after the race, trainer Mullins said: “The early pace was huge today and, even though he couldn’t go with them, it suited him.
“We all got a heart attack at the last, but Paul [Townend] had him in the right position and his confidence throughout was crucial to him winning the race.”
Townend was all praise for his mount, saying: “It shows how tough this lad is after that fall he took to come back and be as courageous as he was.”
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