Il Etait Temps sets up a Tingle Creek clash with Jonbon, while Spindleberry's owner is dreaming of Gold Cups
Il Etait Temps and Paul Townend Clonmel Oil Chase last Thursday at Clonmel Racecourse Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
It was back to the tried and tested for Willie Mullins days after his historic win at the Breeders' Cup, as he sent two of his stable stars to contest the feature races on Clonmel Oil Chase Day last Thursday.
Spindelberry was first up on the Listed T. A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase. Unbeaten in her three starts over fences to date before Thursday, which included a Grade 1 win against the boys in the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, this looked to be a perfect starting point for the daughter of Policy Maker.
Sent off the 2/5 favourite, Spindleberry backers never have a moment's worry. Having set out on the lead from the drop of the flag, the classy Spindleberry had them on the stretch on the home bend. Cruising into the home bend with only the loose Pebble Bleu and the final two fences standing between her and an easy win.
Kilbarry Saint and Bioluminescence closed on the leader coming to the second last. Still, you could see that Paul Towend was comfortable on Spindleberry, who eventually went on to win by a cosy two lengths.
After the race, champion jockey Paul Townend said: "We went slow, she was idle in front and we dashed for three furlongs - that is what it was, but she is very straightforward."
"It was a brilliant starting point on ground which wasn't bottomless, and while she was ready to run, will improve from it."
"She is just a very good racehorse, but you wouldn't come back in trip with her. She is an easy ride, which would also give her a chance at staying further distances."
"Her hurdle form was good, but had to drop back to two miles a few times, and has taken to fences really well and has matured."
Spindleberry's owner, Fearghal Eastwood, is dreaming of a Gold Cup: "I'm starting to dream about Gold Cups. When we were coming home from Clonmel, my brother texted me saying I was getting ahead of myself, but a Mares' Chase isn't keeping me up at night, and she's in her prime."
"I'm talking about what I'd like, but we haven't talked about what Willie would like – and he's the boss!"
Il Etait Temps comes up trumps in the Clonmel Oil
The Hollywood Racing & Barnane Stud-owned seven-year-old has built up a massive following in recent times. The pony-like son of Jukebox Jury may be small in stature, but you will find it hard to come across another horse with as much heart and talent as Il Etait Temps possesses.
On paper, his task in the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase looked straightforward, and it proved so.
The Grade 1 Celebration Chase winner was held up off the pace for the majority of the contest, but Paul Townend started to make his move before four out. On the back of making headway, it was clear from then on that it was a matter of not if Il Etait Temps would win, but how far he was going to win by.
He was untidy at the last, but the race was in safe keeping, as Il Etait Temps cruised home to an 18-length victory.
Townend said: "He went to sleep for me early, and that was a good sign. He came alive and done it nicely in the end."
"Settled it really quickly, and didn't have to knocked about for a nice win. A lot of positives to take out of it, and hopefully he's onto bigger and better things."
A clash against Jonbon in the Tingle Creek at Sandown looks set to be on the cards next for Il Etait Temps, a track in which he got the better of the Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old in April.
We could be looking at Willie Mullins' next Champion Chaser.
The Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase looked set up to be one of the standout races of the weekend, and it did not disappoint.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained Inthepocket was sent off the well-backed 15/8 favourite, with last year's winner Ile Atlantique close behind in the market.
Not much happened until the top four in the market turned their heads for home. Champ Kiely, who was ridden by Paul Townend, eyed up the the second last fence with stablemate Il Atlantique upsides, but last year's winner was getting squeezed along to keep tabs on his stablemate.
Coming to the second last, Ile Atlantique made a bad mistake, which put off Inthepocket, who himself made a race-ending mistake when still in contention.
It was then left to the Champ Kiely and the smooth travelling mare, Only By Night, to fight it out.
Head to head at the back of the last, the pair set down to a ding-dong battle where the mare pulled out that bit extra to get her head down where it mattered, pulling off a memorable win.
Given the form of the Gavin Cromwell stable (0 form 60 coming into Sunday), the win of Only By Night can be considerably marked up. This likeable mare has plenty of options going forward this season, and she is going to be a player no matter where she lines up next.
This weekend is one of my favourite weekends in the National Hunt calendar. Cheltenham hosts its three-day Paddy Power November meeting, while on home soil, Navan puts on two days of top-class action, including the Troytown Handicap Chase.
So many of the top national hunt stars look set to make their seasonal return this weekend, and it's a weekend that is not to be missed.
