Il Etait Temps Claims Queen Mother Champion Chase
Il Etait Temps delivered a powerful finish to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase, marking trainer Willie Mullins' third victory on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
Majborough, the odds-on favourite, was expected to win the marquee race but a series of jumping errors prevented a successful outcome.
A near mistake at the final fence almost jeopardised Il Etait Temps' victory, but jockey Paul Townend guided him safely over the line during the Festival's first Ladies Day in five years.
"There was a lot of work put into this horse after Ascot so I have a lot of people to thank," Townend told ITV Racing. "It shows how tough this lad is. He's such a courageous horse again today. He was flat as a pan everywhere.
"I wasn't going to force him but he just found his rhythm."
Mullins shared his thoughts with BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, saying,
"Out of the corner of my eye I could see Paul Townend thinking 'now we have a horse race'.
"He started to get confident and he planned his move around the last bend."
Libberty Hunter, a 50-1 outsider, and L'eau Du Sud, owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, finished third.
Mullins' Earlier Wins and Reflections
Mullins' first winner of the day was King Rasko Grey, an 11-1 shot who powered to victory in the opening race.
Act of Innocence, ridden by Nico de Boinville, finished second in that race.
Despite disappointment with his horses in Tuesday's Supreme Hurdle, Mullins noted that King Rasko Grey's form had proven effective.
"We were all disappointed with our horses in the Supreme, but his form worked out. The day we bought him from the sales, he looked like a really smooth mover.
"I am very happy. When I saw them here on Monday, my worry was they looked too well.
"I don't think I have seen my team on the gallop look so well, but they are racing well."
Novices' Chase and Other Highlights
Mullins also secured a one-two finish in the Novices' Chase, with 11-1 chance Kitzbuhel delivering an excellent jumping performance to hold off 7-2 shot Final Demand.
Jockey Harry Cobden praised Kitzbuhel, describing him as a "phenomenal little horse."
"He's braver than I am, this little chap. He's a phenomenal horse.
"He was brilliant today, looking right the whole way, so that's why I kept him in the middle. Everywhere I asked him, he delivered. He's very tough."
Other Notable Results and Incidents
Trainer Nicky Henderson recorded his day's victory with 9-2 favourite Jingko Blue, who finished ahead of 50-1 shot Franciscan Rock in the Handicap Hurdle.
Tragically, HMS Seahorse fell at the final hurdle and, after receiving veterinary attention on course, was euthanised. This marks the second equine fatality at the 2026 Festival.
English trainer Venetia Williams achieved a surprise first Festival win when 66-1 outsider Martator denied Jazzy Matty a consecutive Grand Annual victory.
The nine-year-old, ridden by jockey Charlie Deutsch, crossed the finish line alongside Cian Collins' horse, resulting in the Festival's first photo finish.
Gavin Cromwell-trained 7-1 shot Final Orders won the Cross Country Chase with an impressive jumping display, finishing ahead of the bookmakers' favourite Favori De Champdou.
Final Orders syndicate owner Joe Deacon told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: "There are 10 of us in the syndicate.
"We have been together since back in 2019. We have had tremendous success with the horse - he has brought us to the finest course in England and Ireland.
"We are a group of people brought together by the horse, and all good friends. I feel like I ran as far and as quick as him [Final Orders].
"We were here in 2023, and we didn't get a chance to show. We were very quiet today for the first part of the race.
"He led from the off. Just to watch him and keep quiet, but knowing the ground felt for him. He [Conor Stone-Walsh] did a fantastic job riding him.
"We will have a tipple or two in Worcester where we are staying!"
