CHELTENHAM 16:00

All 10 ran. Fences: 13.

Time: 3m 52.5s Closing Sectional: (3.7f): 56.6s (95.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 100%

The Festival's most potent graveyard for odds-on favourites claimed another victim as error-prone Majborough joined famous names such as Crisp, Anaglogs Daughter, Douvan and Jonbon in fluffing his lines on the big day; unlike in some of those runnings, though, victory still went to a very worthy champion, Il Etait Temps taking his record in Grade 1 chases to 6 wins from 8 completed starts, jockey Paul Townend seen to particularly good effect in delaying his move after sitting out the furious early gallop, the fact patiently-ridden outsider Libberty Hunter could claim second late in the day further evidence of a pace collapse.

IL ETAIT TEMPS (FR) bounced back from his extremely rare off-day at Ascot to claim the biggest win of an already stellar career, scoring so decisively that it would have been a close-run thing had Majborough not fluffed his lines - he's by far the most consistent chaser of those rated in the 170+ bracket and should have plenty more big prizes in him, particularly as connections also have the option of going back up in trip with him (will stay beyond 21f); it was a very fluent display with the hood left off for a change, reined back around halfway as the leaders pressed on before making headway on the bridle between 3 out and 2 out, quickly setting the issue in the straight and clear when giving his supporters their only scare with a bad stumble at the last, not the first this week to have had issues landing on that patch of ground.

LIBBERTY HUNTER enjoyed by far his biggest payday, albeit ridden to pick up the pieces and probably running to just a similar level as when finishing a place lower in Grade 2 company last time, still well off the pace at the top of the hill before staying on to claim second late in the day, his jumping more fluent than is sometimes the case.

L'EAU DU SUD (FR) arguably made his move earlier than ideal but, in truth, his last 4 tries in Grade 1 company show he isn't in the same league as the winner, typically fluent here having been freshened up by a 3-month break but, having taken closer order between 4 out and 3 out, soon no match for Il Etait Temps in the straight, losing second late on.

CAPTAIN GUINNESS (IRE) isn't the force of old and never threatened in first-time cheekpieces, merely plugging on late to reach the frame in the race for the fourth successive year (runner-up in 2023, won in 2024 and third in 2025).

QUILIXIOS shaped as if retaining all his ability running for the first time since a final-fence fall (when upsides) in last year's renewal but ended up having a very hard race; he helped force the strong early pace and, having taken over again briefly 3 out, weakened in the straight.

IRISH PANTHER swerved the Arkle for a sporting tilt at this but his jumping didn't hold up to a stern examination for one so inexperienced, ridden less forward than of late due to a slow leap at the first, more significant errors at the eighth and last (ridden in fourth at the time) then taking their toll; he's better judged on his last 2 chase starts when back in calmer waters.

MAJBOROUGH (FR) reverted to type 5 weeks on from his stunning Dublin Chase win, the fact jumping errors have contributed to him losing 4 of his last 6 starts making him a risky one to side with; he was forced to do plenty to get to the front after missing the break and his jumping went to pieces in the second half of the race, a mistake at the eighth starting the slide and soon done with after his most calamitous error 3 out.

BROOKIE (IRE) was out of his depth and always behind returning from 4 months off.

FOUND A FIFTY (IRE) looks one with problems all of a sudden and ran miserably just 11 days on from his Navan capitulation, tailed off when pulled up early on the final circuit having jumped slowly in rear.

SAINT SEGAL (FR) was let down by an uncharacteristic jumping lapse upped to Grade 1 level, pulled up early on the final circuit having nearly come down at the first.