Paul Townend guided Il Etait Temps to a dominant victory in the feature race at Cheltenham on Wednesday, as the festival's second day saw the successful return of Ladies Day after a five-year hiatus.
The Willie Mullins-trained horse blew the field away in the Champion Chase, providing a highlight on a day that also featured a heated exchange between jockeys Declan Queally and Nico de Boinville after the opening race. The pair traded accusations on ITV, and the Cheltenham stewards have adjourned the matter to obtain further evidence.
Four jockeys were suspended following a stewards' enquiry into a false start in the first race. Jack Kennedy and Queally received one-day bans for misconduct, while Danny Gilligan and Darragh O'Keeffe were suspended for two days each for a second offence within 12 months.
Ladies Day attracted 46,317 attendees, up from 41,941 on the same day last year. The Jockey Club reported that 33% of ticket purchasers for the day were female, compared to 25% in 2025. Rachael Blackmore, appointed head of Ladies Day in November, helped promote the event by visiting shopping centres across the UK.
In the final race, the Champion Bumper, The Mourne Rambler ridden by Colin Keane secured victory by a length. Earlier, Martator won at 66-1 in a photo finish, providing a welcome win for trainer Venetia Williams.
