Champion Chase Result 2026 - Il Etait Temps saunters to victory, as Majborough fails to fire
The 2026 Champion Chase saw an exhilarating race with several top contenders, including Majborough, Il Etait Temps, and Captain Guinness. Majborough, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Mark Walsh, emerged victorious, bouncing back from a previous jump mishap. The competition was fierce, with entries like L'Eau Du Sud and Quilixios adding to the intensity. Fans can revisit the vibrant action through our website's replay. This year's race proved once again that the Champion Chase is unpredictable, providing thrilling moments for race enthusiasts.
- Full result and replay of the 2026 Champion Chase
- The Queen Mother headlined day two of the Cheltenham Festival
- Il Etait Temps claims an easy victory
- Favourite Majborough finished down the field
Full result of the 2026 Champion Chase, and how you can watch a replay of the finish on our website.
Champion Chase Result 2026
| Position | Name | SP |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Il Etait Temps | 5/2 |
| 2nd | Libberty Hunter | 50/1 |
| 3rd | L'Eau Du Sud | 13/2 |
The Queen Mother Champion Chase has been a graveyard for favourites in recent years, but that didn't stop punters from piling into Majborough.
Willie Mullins' star was electric on his most recent start in the Dublin Chase. The favourite did jump poorly when beaten in the Arkle 12 months ago, but Mark Walsh's mount was looking to put that bad round of jumping behind him.
Chief competition came from the favourite's stablemate Il Etait Temps. Dan and Harry Skelton combined with Shloer Chase winner L'Eau Du Sud. Quilixios was making his first start since falling at the last in this race 12 months ago.
Henry de Bromhead was also represented by former winner Captain Guinness. Eddie and Patrick Harty ran their novice Irish Panther here, rather than the Arkle on day one. Found A Fifty and Saint Segal also featured in the field, along with Libberty Hunter and Brookie.
Champion Chase Race Recap
Mark Walsh gave Majborough an aggressive ride from the front at Leopardstown. After three of the first four winners on day two made all of the running, Walsh was keen to execute similar tactics in the feature.
Walsh was caught a little flat-footed when the starter dropped his flag, which allowed Quilixios to grab the early lead. However, Majborough soon took closer order, and the top two opened up a lead passing the stands for the first time.
Rounding the bend, Majborough strode into clear advantage, jumping soundly. Saint Segal made a bad blunder and was quickly pulled up, along with Found A Fifty.
Just when everything seemed like plain sailing, Majborough made an error at the open ditch, and dragged his legs through the next flight. Those errors allowed Quilixios to close the gap, with L'Eau Du Sud travelling well in third.
Majborough made another blunder at the second-last, and the favourite's tank emptied quickly. Harry Skelton took a glance over his shoulder as he moved upsides Quilixios, only to see Paul Townend and Il Etait Temps tanking along down the hill.
Townend soon took command of the contest, and L'Eau Du Sud had no response. Even a bad error at the last couldn't prevent the inevitable, and Il Etait Temps powered through the line to claim an impressive win.
L'Eau Du Sud finished a tired horse, and was beaten for second by Libberty Hunter, who finished up the hill well. Majborough's jumping let him down once again, but Willie Mullins was still the one celebrating.
Champion Chase Replay 2026
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