Il Etait Temps powered over the line in the Queen Mother Champion Chase to earn trainer Willie Mullins his third win of day two at Cheltenham Festival.
A mistake at the final fence almost cost Il Etait Temps the win, but jockey Paul Townend steered him over the line at 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.”
Fatal Fall for HMS Seahorse
A second horse has died at Cheltenham Festival after falling at the final flight in the BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle on Wednesday.
HMS Seahorse was attended to by vets “immediately” after falling but could not be saved.
A Cheltenham Racecourse spokesperson said, “HMS Seahorse was immediately attended to by a team of expert vets, but sadly sustained an injury at the final hurdle and could not be saved.
“Our heartfelt condolences are with connections.”
Day Two Winners at Cheltenham
- 13:20 – King Rasko Grey in the Novice’s Hurdle
- 14:00 – Kitzbuhel in the Novice’s Chase
- 14:40 – Jingko Blue in the Handicap Hurdle
- 15:20 – Final Orders in the Handicap Steeple Chase
- 16:00 – Il Etait Temps in the Queen Mother Champion Chase
- 16.40 – Martator in the Grand Annual Chase
- 17.20 – The Mourne Rambler in the Champion Bumper
The Mourne Rambler Wins the Bumper
The Mourne Rambler shows a clean pair of heels to win the Bumper.
A very impressive ride from Colin Keane!
The 15-2 shot had jets in his horseshoes as he kicked for home, bursting from the pack and through the frontrunners.
A working holiday for Colin Keane. A real authoritative performance. He was in a perfect position and he stayed up strongly going up the hill, according to Welsh Grand National winning jockey Charlie Poste on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
Another horse, Hansard, was put down after getting injured on the flat in the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase on Tuesday.
We will be back tomorrow for all the action on St Patrick’s Thursday. Guinness all round.