Il Etait Temps Triumphs in Cheltenham's Champion Chase Despite Final Fright
In a dramatic display at the Cheltenham Festival, the Willie Mullins-trained grey Il Etait Temps survived a heart-stopping stumble at the last fence to secure victory in the prestigious BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase. The win delivered a memorable triumph for the family of former England cricket star Craig Kieswetter, who was man of the match in England's 2010 ICC World Twenty20 victory.
Race Drama Unfolds as Favourite Falters
Entering the race as the clear second favourite behind stablemate Majborough, Il Etait Temps and jockey Paul Townend capitalised when the heavily-backed favourite made multiple jumping errors that ultimately proved costly. Majborough, owned by JP McManus and sent off at odds of 5-6 as one of the week's supposed certainties, faded badly after leading early, leaving the door open for his stable companion.
"We all got a heart attack at the last," admitted trainer Willie Mullins afterwards, referring to the moment when Il Etait Temps nearly lost momentum after the final obstacle. "But Paul had him in a good position and that bit of confidence he had not to follow the pace was crucial to me in winning the race."
Kieswetter Family Celebrates Emotional Victory
The winning horse is owned by Hollywood Racing and Barnane Stud, operated by Craig Kieswetter and his family. Kieswetter, who played 71 times for England's limited-overs cricket teams, watched emotionally as his horse recovered from the last-fence scare to pull away for a commanding ten-length victory.
"It's incredible. We've had a few attempts. I'm a bit speechless to be honest," said Kieswetter, who had flown from South Africa for the Festival. "We've all flown over from South Africa. You can never question Willie and Jackie and it's great to be a part of their team."
Remarkable Comeback Story Adds to Drama
Il Etait Temps's victory marked his seventh Grade 1 success, coming just months after he was winded following a heavy fall at Ascot in January. The horse's resilience and recovery added another layer to an already compelling narrative.
Completing the dramatic finish, the 50-1 outsider Libberty Hunter rallied strongly to claim second place. The runner-up represents the first runner for owner Cath Williams, whose husband Evan Williams recently gave up his training licence after being convicted of assaulting a dog walker with a hockey stick.
Mullins paid tribute to his winning jockey's judgment, noting: "I thought they were going too fast and it's fantastic to have a jockey like Paul that knows they're going too fast. As they were coming down the hill at the third last I could see Paul getting more confident in the saddle."
The trainer added about the defeated favourite: "Majborough can certainly gallop and certainly jump but today it fell apart." The victory continues Mullins' remarkable record at the Cheltenham Festival and provides a special moment for the Kieswetter family, bridging the worlds of elite horse racing and international cricket.
