Connections hoping it will be time for Temps to shine at Cheltenham

With the absence of Marine Nationale altering the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase picture, hopes are high Il Etait Temps can leave his Clarence House Chase fall in the past and claim the elusive Cheltenham Festival victory missing from his CV.

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old has won at the highest level at the Dublin, Aintree and Punchestown Festivals and announced himself as a major force in the two-mile chasing division with a bloodless Tingle Creek success at Sandown in December.

He was below-par when taking a tired fall at Ascot in a race won by Jonbon in January, but currently as short as 4-1 behind stablemate Majborough in the betting for the day two feature, connections are hoping he can finally show his best at a venue that has so far proven a cruel mistress.

“It took him a while to bounce back after Ascot and he took a tired fall there,” said Ross Doyle, racing manager for owners Hollywood Racing and the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud.

“The Champion Chase is beginning to open up a bit which is unfortunate for the people not getting to turn up.

“He’s going to go over as we speak, but he’s just got to get all his work done and get over in one piece which we’ve seen isn’t taken for granted and we’ll leave that down to Willie and his team.

“He’s a different horse nowadays compared to other years he’s gone to Cheltenham, he can switch off and go a good pace, so hopefully the race suits him.”

Il Etait Temps is the star turn for connections at the Cheltenham Festival, but the Hollywood Racing silks will also be donned by arguably one of the best maiden hurdlers in training, Roc Dino, who has some intriguing handicap entries.

Second to Mighty Park and El Cairos in his two outings in Ireland, his trainer has mooted the idea of stepping up in distance, with five-year-old the general 7-1 favourite for the Festival-ending Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

“He’s run five times, three in France, two in Ireland and still hasn’t shaken his maiden tag, so it’s a big ask but he seems to be shortening in the markets for the Martin Pipe,” continued Doyle.

“Willie has him in the BetMGM Cup and William Hill County Hurdle as well and will probably make a decision quite late with a horse like him on which way he will go.

“He has mentioned stepping him up in trip slightly, but he’s not short of speed and has ran behind two very smart horses in his two starts in Ireland.

“He’s a lovely horse and looks like a very nice chaser long-term when you look at him. It’s great to be going to Cheltenham with a live chance hopefully and there’s a chance his form could get a very nice boost in the Grade Ones early next week.”

The Barnane Stud silks will also be in operation at the meeting when Karbau goes for William Hill County Hurdle glory, as former England cricketer Craig Kieswetter and his family search their own first moment of glory at National Hunt racing’s marquee event.

Second in the Limestone Lad at Naas in January, Karbau is prominent in the ante-post betting lists in an event his trainer has won five times in the last 10 years.

“We’re looking forward to Karbau and he looks nailed on to go to the County,” added Doyle.

“The UK handicapper has him up to 150 which is a good rating and it’s always a hugely-competitive race, but he’s a slick jumper and seems to be able to travel no problem. In that calibre of race, it will help him put his best foot forward.”