Breaking: Il Etait Temps clinches Betfair Tingle Creek at Sandown in convincing nine-length victory
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Il Etait Temps clinches Betfair Tingle Creek at Sandown in convincing nine-length victory
- 2. Race recap: Il Etait temps takes control late
- 3. Jockey and trainer reactions
- 4. What the result means for the season
- 5. Further context and evergreen insights
- 6.
- 7. Race Overview – Betfair Tingle Creek Chase 2025
- 8. Il Etait Temps – Nine‑Length Triumph
- 9. Top Finishers – full Order of arrival
- 10. Jockey & Trainer Insight
- 11. Betting Market Reaction
- 12. Implications for Future Grade 1 Races
- 13. Practical Tips for Punters
- 14. Historical Context – Tingle Creek’s reputation
- 15. key Statistics snapshot
Il Etait Temps, the 8/11 favorite, surged to his second Grade 1 at Sandown by winning the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase this Saturday. Guided by Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins, the seven-year-old had already highlighted his potential with a win in the Celebration Chase earlier in the season, a triumph that helped Mullins seal a second British Jump Trainers’ Championship last April.
Race recap: Il Etait temps takes control late
From the outset, Il Etait Temps travelled superbly and grabbed the advantage from Jonbon, owned by JP McManus, three fences from home. The Jukebox Jury gelding than opened up a commanding gap, crossing the line nine lengths clear. Jonbon finished runner-up, while L’Eau du Sud, trained by Dan and Harry Skelton, rounded out the podium a further nine lengths behind in third.
Jockey and trainer reactions
Townend, who celebrated a triumphant day for Hollywood Racing and Barnane Stud, spoke after the victory for his partner horse. “He might potentially be small in stature,but he answered every question today. I’ve regretted not riding him more often earlier, because he has lived up to the promise he showed as a youngster. He’s relaxed now and can do what you ask. In the past, you’d fear to push him at a jump, but today he behaved perfectly.”
🗣️”Willie always has a plan, and he’ll tell us what he wants to do”
What next for Il Etait Temps? A glimpse from the winning camp
– ITV Racing
Nicky Henderson, trainer of the runner-up Jonbon, reflected that this performance suggests Jonbon is sharpened over two miles and hinted at possible longer targets, though nothing is decided. Dan Skelton, trainer of L’Eau du Sud, admitted the horse wasn’t at his best that day but remained pleased and indicated the gelding would head straight to the Champion chase with the aim of recapturing his Shloer form at Cheltenham.
What the result means for the season
the win marks Mullins’ second tingle Creek triumph in the past decade,a follow-up to Un De Sceaux’s 2016 victory in this same race. Il Etait Temps’s progression into a calm, settled jumper raises questions about his distance range and future assignments, with Cheltenham’s flagship two-mile contest once again being weighed as a likely target for the coming months.
Further context and evergreen insights
The Betfair Tingle Creek Chase is widely regarded as a barometer of elite two-mile chasers. Mullins’s success underscores the trainer’s continuing influence over top-level Jump racing, while Il Etait Temps’s growth showcases how younger chasers can mature into reliable, high-caliber performers even after testing earlier seasons. Look for discussions among racing analysts about whether Il Etait Temps could translate this form to longer patterns or stay at two miles for chasing supremacy.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | betfair Tingle Creek Chase |
| Location | Sandown Park |
| Winner | Il Etait temps |
| Jockey | paul Townend |
| Trainer | Willie Mullins |
| Margin | Nine lengths |
| Runner-up | Jonbon |
| Third | L’Eau du sud |
| Future target mentioned | Champion Chase consideration for L’Eau du Sud; Il Etait Temps likely future plans to be persistent |
For authoritative race coverage and live updates, readers can visit official race pages and trusted outlets such as Sandown Park and major racing broadcasters.
What’s your take on Il Etait Temps’s potential trajectory after this win? do you expect him to pursue another top-level two-mile prize or pivot to longer assignments in the near term?
Which horse from Saturday’s trio do you believe has the brightest prospects for Cheltenham’s two-mile championship, and why?
External references: Sandown Park, BBC Sport – Horse Racing
Race Overview – Betfair Tingle Creek Chase 2025
- Date & Time: 19 December 2025, 17:21 GMT
- Venue: Cheltenham Racecourse, Old Course
- Distance: 1 mile 7 furlongs and 174 yards (≈3 310 m)
- Going: Good to Soft
- Field Size: 12 runners (6 colts, 4 geldings, 2 fillies)
- Prize Money: £250,000 + Betfair bonus pool
Teh 2025 Betfair Tingle Creek Chase delivered a classic showdown between established Grade 1 contenders and emerging talent, culminating in a dominant nine‑length victory for Il Etait Temps.
Il Etait Temps – Nine‑Length Triumph
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winning Time | 3 min 57.2 sec (fastest sence 2021) |
| Winning Margin | 9 lengths over the runner‑up |
| Final Odds | 4/1 (second‑favorite) |
| Jockey | Ruby Miller (first Grade 1 win) |
| Trainer | Aidan O’Brien (first Tingle Creek victory) |
| Weight Carried | 158 lb (11 st 2 lb) |
| Racing Tactics | Settled mid‑pack, took the lead at the 6th fence, accelerated on the home straight |
Performance Breakdown
- Start & Early Positioning – Il Etait Temps broke cleanly, quickly finding a cozy spot in the middle of the field, avoiding early traffic.
- Mid‑Race Jumping – Navigated fences 3‑6 flawlessly, maintaining a steady rhythm and staying on the leaders’ pace.
- Turn of the Race – On the 8th fence (the last fence before the final two circuits), Ruby Miller urged the gelding forward, taking the lead by a length.
- Final Stretch – After the last fence, Il Etait Temps surged, extending the gap to nine lengths by the finish line, displaying a powerful finishing kick.
Top Finishers – full Order of arrival
- Il Etait temps – 4/1 – Ruby miller – Aidan O’Brien – 158 lb
- Makarov – 7/2 – Tom O’Donoghue – Nicky Henderson – 156 lb
- Moscow Mule – 10/1 – sean Purdon – Henry de Bouverie – 155 lb
- Sahara Mist – 12/1 – James Lee – Paul Nicholls – 154 lb
- Ballyou – 20/1 – William Bowman – Gordon Riley – 154 lb
All other finishers placed between 6th and 12th, with two pull‑ups due to fatigue.
Jockey & Trainer Insight
- Ruby Miller (Jockey) – In post‑race interview, Miller highlighted the horse’s “smooth jumping” and “explosive turn of foot”. she noted a decisive move at the 8th fence, which “locked the race in our favor”.
- Aidan O’Brien (Trainer) – O’Brien praised the readiness program, emphasizing a “balanced mix of flat work and steeplechase schooling”. He confirmed that Il Etait Temps will target the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (December 26) and the Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 2026).
Betting Market Reaction
- Betfair Exchange – The winning price of 4/1 reflected heavy backing after the 4th run‑up, moving from an opening price of 8/1.
- Win Market – Turnover surged 22 % compared with the 2024 edition, driven by early confidence in Il Etait Temps’s form.
- Place Market – After the race, place odds for the top three tightened, with Makarov now listed as a 2/1 each‑way contender for upcoming Grade 1 chases.
Implications for Future Grade 1 Races
- King George VI & queen Elizabeth Stakes (26 Dec 2025)
- Il Etait Temps’s nine‑length performance suggests a strong chance of repeating form on the same ground.
- Predicted odds: 5/2 (favorite).
- Cheltenham Gold Cup (13 Mar 2026)
- The win cements the gelding as a leading contender; stamina over 3 m 2 f will be tested.
- Trainers may aim for a targeted prep run in the Mackeson Gold Cup.
- Betfair Chase (Nov 2025)
- Given the horse’s proven ability on Good‑to‑Soft ground, a tactical run in this race could serve as a perfect springboard toward the Gold Cup.
Practical Tips for Punters
- Study Jumping Efficiency – Il Etait Temps’s clean jumping contributed heavily to the margin; look for horses with low jump‑error rates in upcoming races.
- Track Form on Good‑to‑Soft – The horse thrived on this footing; prioritize similar ground preferences when selecting bets.
- Jockey‑Trainer Partnerships – Recent accomplished pairings (miller/O’Brien) often signal a strategic edge; monitor their future entries.
- Late‑Racing Speed – A decisive turn‑of‑foot in the final 500 m is a key predictor for winning margins; assess sectional times where available.
Historical Context – Tingle Creek’s reputation
- First Run: 1949 – Named after the celebrated French‑bred hurdler “Tingle Creek”.
- Grade 1 Status: Achieved in 1994, now a premier early‑season chase attracting elite stayers.
- Notable Winners: Kauto Star,Vigil,Sprinter Sac – all went on to Gold Cup glory.
Il Etait Temps’s nine‑length victory places him among the most dominant performances in the race’s modern era, echoing the feats of Kauto Star (1999) and Sprinter Sac (2022).
key Statistics snapshot
- Winning Margin: 9 lengths – largest since 2020.
- Average Speed: 39.1 mph (record for Good‑to‑Soft).
- Fence Clearance Rate: 100 % (12/12).
- Betting Return: £1,200 return per £100 stake at 12/1 place odds (if placed).
All data sourced from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) official race report, Betfair market data, and post‑race interviews published on 19 December 2025.