Il Etait Temps wrapped up a Cheltenham–Punchestown Champion Chase double on Wednesday. He dethroned Marine Nationale in convincing fashion, though favourites in other Grade 1s flopped, as 18/1 and 16/1 winners came in.
Here is today’s racing news round-up after a busy day of results.
Punchestown Festival: Il Etait Temps delivers as other Grade 1 favourites misfire
The Punchestown Champion Chase went the way of Il Etait Temps on day one of the track’s feature meeting. Day one’s showpiece event looked set to be a mouthwatering clash on paper, but the diminutive grey turned it into a procession. Despite an early mistake which lost him considerable ground, he and Paul Townend recovered to win by five lengths. The commanding success was secured over defending champion Marine Nationale while stablemate Majborough again failed to fire. (Racing Post)
However, favourites elsewhere at Punchestown struggled at the highest level. In the Grade 1 PRL Champion Novice Hurdle, Eachtotheirown made all the running at 16/1 to win for Barry Connell. Although Marine Nationale was beaten later on the card, this was a welcome tonic for Connell against the big guns. Favourite El Cairos was disappointing for Gordon Elliott, though he would strike just 40 minutes later. (Racing TV)
That victory came courtesy of Western Fold in the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase. The Grade 1 prize saw the winner competing in his 14th chase despite remaining a novice. Almost a year on from his first chase success, he came with a late surge to provide Elliott with a welcome winner even though Willie Mullins overtook him in the Irish trainers’ championship. Evens favourite Kitzbuhel underwhelmed and was pulled up by Paul Townend. (Sporting Life)
Flat racing: Royal Ascot announces international stars as Gosden runner impresses at Epsom
A press release on Tuesday revealed the international runners entered seeking Royal Ascot glory later this year. Australian sprinter Joliestar features in the list for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over 6f. Both of last year’s one-two, Lazzat and Satono Reve, have also been entered for the Saturday feature, as is the similarly Japan-based Lugal. Meanwhile, Japanese dirt sensation Forever Young could compete on turf at the meeting. He was entered for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes alongside Arc hero Daryz for France. (Royal Ascot)
On the flat at Epsom on Tuesday, Saxon Street impressed in the Listed Blue Riband Trial. Making just his second racecourse appearance for John & Thady Gosden, he saw out the 1m2f trip well for a two-and-a-half length success. Bookmakers cut him to a general 20/1 for the Derby at the start of June. Favourite New Zealand looked uncomfortable on Epsom’s cambers and was only fourth for Aidan O’Brien. (Racing Post)
Johnny de la Hey removes horses from Paul Nicholls
In big news at the top of British jumps racing, Paul Nicholls has lost significant support from a prominent owner. Johnny de la Hey has removed 11 horses from the Ditcheat yard. This comes after the conclusion of the British National Hunt season on Saturday. Among those horses is stalwart and Grade 1 hero Pic d’Orhy. The 11 horses will move between Chris Gordon, Dan Skelton and Jamie Snowden’s stables for the 2026/27 campaign. (The Sun)