Energumene romps home in Champion Chase at Cheltenham Festival

Energumene romped home in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham Festival for the second year running, registering a smooth success for trainer Willie Mullins and rider Paul Townend.

The victorious jockey said: “He got into a rhythm and jumped brilliantly. You don’t win championship races like that normally.”

Captain Guinness, the only other Irish runner in the seven-strong field, finished second at a respectful distance.

Earlier, The Real Whacker made every yard to give Patrick Neville a fairytale victory in a thrilling edition of the Brown Advisory Novice Chase.

“It was a fantastic race, it’s always a privilege to be asked to ride in these races,” said the delighted winning rider Sam Twiston-Davies.

“I was lucky to ride him in the Dipper, let alone today as well. Paddy Neville, all the way through, has been a great supporter. He said he was in wicked good nick and fair play, he was absolutely spot on.

“He races in a great manner – although he’s in front and he’s doing a lot of the hard work you’re able to get the breathers in everywhere you want. With his jumping he’s always filling himself up, my God it feels like a long way up the run-in!”

The Real Whacker had also been under consideration for Friday’s Cheltenham Gold Cup before connections opted to stick to novice company, but is set to be aimed at the race next year.

Impaire Et Passe produced a devastating performance to lead home a Mullins one-two-three in the Ballymore Novice Hurdle.

Sign up to The Recap

The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend’s action

after newsletter promotion

Mullins said: “That was good, I was very impressed. When he got through, the change of pace coming down the last – wow. I think that was just