Il ETAIT RON

SMALL and mighty Il Etait Temps struck an early blow for Willie Mullins with a nine-length romp in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase.

- MELISSA JONES

The grey was sent off the 8-11 favourite to dish out another course and distance defeat to his 2025 Celebration Chase victim Jonbon at Sandown Park.

L'Eau Du Sud, trained by Mullins’ big title rival for the past few years, Dan Skelton, added further spice to the Grade One contest.

But what looked to be a fascinating three-way clash on paper became a one-horse procession, as Il Etait Temps sprinted up the final hill.

The seven-year-old nipped up the inside of Nico de Boinville-ridden Jonbon on the home turn and quick leaps helped extend his advantage over the race hat-trick chaser, with a weary L'Eau Du Sud back in third.