Il Etait Temps enters Arkle picture and brings up 535-1 Grade 1 treble for Danny Mullins as Marine Nationale disappoints

Il Etait Temps provided Danny Mullins with the second leg of a Grade 1 double last season on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival and 12 months later the plucky grey popped up to give the jockey another red letter day.

The 6-1 winner wore down Found A Fifty in the dying strides of the Irish Arkle to complete a staggering 535-1 treble in the opening three races for Mullins.

The six-year-old was a bit of an enigma over hurdles, habitually running freely and showing blissful ignorance for his obstacles, but he was a force to be reckoned with when on song, most notably when defeating Inthepocket in the 2m Grade 1 novice hurdle here last season. 

His apathy for hurdles held him back when a respectable fifth behind Marine Nationale in last season's Supreme and even more so when runner-up to Facile Vega at Punchestown, but he could eclipse those rivals over fences as he had those two in behind on this occasion, going one better than his runner-up effort to Gaelic Warrior at Limerick over Christmas.

Il Etait Temps gets the better of Found A FiftyCredit: Patrick McCann

"He was a Grade 1 winner here over hurdles, but didn't have much respect for hurdles and has much more for the fences," said Willie Mullins. "He used to gallop out through his hurdles, he was more intent on galloping faster than jumping over them."

Marine Nationale, sent off at 4-7, was the star attraction going into the race following his electric chase debut over the course and distance in December. Mullins positioned Il Etait Temps in mid-division alongside the market leader as the Gordon Elliott-trained Found A Fifty pressed on under close supervision from Facile Vega.

Mullins began to edge his mount closer to the front two after an agile leap three-out and despite not being foot-perfect at the penultimate fence, he still seemed to be travelling kindly once they straightened. However, he didn't quicken immediately and Found A Fifty stole a march under Jack Kennedy coming to the final fence.

Il Etait Temps threw a massive leap at the last, though, and began to eat inexorably into the leader's advantage, courageously pulling out all the stops to get up by a neck late on.

All roads lead to the Arkle for the diminutive chaser and Paddy Power cut him into 7-2 (from 10-1).

Il Etait Temps (right): winner of the Irish ArkleCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The winning trainer continued: "Danny is just on fire today. This horse is improving, his jumping is improving and he's settling as well. It just shows you that chasers come in all shapes and sizes as he's not the biggest horse in the world. 

"He's obviously very effective over this trip and we look forward to the Arkle at Cheltenham. He showed plenty of resolution and Danny timed his run well."

Elliott was proud of the runner-up Found A Fifty's valiant effort. 

"I'm gutted but he didn't do anything wrong and ran a great race," he said. "He's a good horse and he'll go to Cheltenham with a chance."

Paddy Power pushed Marine Nationale out to 11-4 (from 8-15) for the Arkle after he was beaten ten and a half lengths into fifth. Last season's Supreme winner travelled fine but didn't always jump with the same verve as he did on his chase debut. He found little for pressure once Michael O'Sullivan began to urge him forward before the last, where he put in a tired leap.

Trainer Barry Connell reported nothing immediately came to light post-race.

"I'm going get him scoped and checked over," he said. "There's nothing obvious, the only thing is the ground. It's soft and it's different to at Christmas as it was virgin ground and it's opened up. It may have blunted his speed but I just don't know. He didn't make a noise or anything."

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