ENERGUMENE holds off Chacun Pour Soi in Punchestown thriller

Chacun Pour Soi made his younger stablemate Energumene pull out all the stops in a thrilling renewal of the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown.

Having successfully defended his crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month, Energumene was the 2-7 favourite to also make it back-to-back wins in this two-mile Grade One.

Chacun Pour Soi, who won the race in 2021, is now very much in the twilight of his career at the age of 11 and recent efforts over a variety of trips had suggested his best days were behind him.

But the veteran proved there is life in him yet with a spirited display before eventually giving best on the run-in.

Trainer Willie Mullins fielded four of the five runners in all and the race was his for the taking after Henry de Bromhead’s front-running mare Magic Daze gave way long before the home turn.

Energumene, who had not entirely convinced in the jumping department, travelled smoothly into the straight under Paul Townend, but so did Chacun Pour Soi in the hands of Danny Mullins and the older horse had poked his nose by the time both horses landed after jumping the final fence.

Energumene, though, dug deep when he needed to, getting up in the closing stages to prevail by three-quarters of a length.

This is the official YouTube channel of Racing TV.

Racing TV is the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.

[rodneymckee]

The signs of a true champion is still being able to do it when not at his best thats what Energumene is

[paulfrith]

Absolutely the best commentator since Peter osullavan. Wish he was commentating in England. The one's here are rubbish .

[gordonrundell]

Good end of season race thanks to Willie

[markselwyn]

Great run by Chacun but fair play, Energumene ground it out- sign of a good champion winning when not jumping well or at his best.

[vey]

Danny Mullins is a breath of fresh air.
Great role model for young horsie lovers growing up always in such a positive mood whatever the outcome. 👏

[ashleypersaud]

Nice ride Danny but the favorite was better

[kevinbrogan]

Commentator is brill he even lost his voice

[youknownada]

Mullins had the 1st 4. Brilliant trainer.

[bobbyhanly]

Lydia is amazing. A woman really listening to a man. Such a rare thing. And she knows her stuff unlike our own sports ladies like Joanne Cantwell.

[Folk_var]

It would have been great to see Chacun win that.

[keithf_]

Energumene, the best around right now, but certainly no Sprinter Sacre or MasterMinded. I'd like to see Energumene against an Edwardstone at the top of his game. I could quite easily see Edwardstone coming out on top.

[suemaher]

Energumene wasn't himself today clipping a few and still won. Chacun ran an absalute blinder. We have seen 2 gd runs from him so retiring might be off the cards. He's an honest gd horse. Blue Lord was just starting his race definitely needs further.

[themanager]

MANAGER OF YONKERS RACE WAY SAYS HELLO THE ONE THE ONLY THE MANAGER

[edwardferry]

Why did he put the brakes on coming toward the last; Chacun had just started motoring and then he lost his momentum and had to pick up again? Note I’m not a jockey 💀

[theLowestPointInMyLife]

jockey on the runner up playing air guitar, not wanted

[keithf_]

They should rename this the Willie Mullins Lap Of Honour Festival. It's such a poor event after Cheltenham and Aintree.

[Erinw]

Looks like Chacun could have been ridden a bit more proactively

[Paul-bj]

If I had 200 horses and put 5 in each race I bound to win every year so to me Mullins is not a good trainer when other trainers don't have a chance if winning A JOKE