Il Etait Temps secured a sixth Grade One in style as he galloped to glory in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
The Willie Mullins-trained runner was just too strong for Jonbon, coasting home nine lengths clear.
The seven-year-old had won six of his previous eight chase starts, including when easily accounting for the reopposing Jonbon in the Celebration Chase over this two-mile course and distance on the final day of last term.
Sent off the 8-11 favourite, Il Etait Temps travelled with supreme ease throughout under Paul Townend and while the pace-setting Jonbon – a dual winner of this race – tried to go with him as he kicked for home on the turn, the Willie Mullins-trained runner was just too strong, coasting home nine lengths clear.
Il Etait Temps too good in Tingle Creek rout
The Willie Mullins-trained runner was just too strong for Jonbon, coasting home nine lengths clear.
Il Etait Temps too good in Tingle Creek rout
Il Etait Temps ridden by Paul Townend on the way to winning the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park. Pic: John Walton/PA Wire.
Il Etait Temps secured a sixth Grade One in style as he galloped to glory in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
The seven-year-old had won six of his previous eight chase starts, including when easily accounting for the reopposing Jonbon in the Celebration Chase over this two-mile course and distance on the final day of last term.
Sent off the 8-11 favourite, Il Etait Temps travelled with supreme ease throughout and while the pace-setting Jonbon – a dual winner of this race – tried to go with him as he kicked for home on the turn, the Willie Mullins-trained runner was just too strong, coasting home nine lengths clear.
Winning rider Paul Townend was delighted with the performance of his mount and said: “I’m very happy with him overall and he went through the race really easily.
“He’s grown up in the fact you can ask him for a jump early and you’re not setting him alight, he’ll come back to you. He jumps, he stays, he travels and we’ll have to now see what (stablemate) Majborough does tomorrow (in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork).
