Il Etait Temps made a winning return to action in the four-runner Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase.
Willie Mullins' charge only raced once last season after suffering a training setback but made that outing count as he lowered the colours of Jonbon in the Grade 1 Celebration Chase at Sandown on the final day of the British campaign.
That was a fifth career win at the highest level for the seven-year-old grey and he was sent off 1/5 favourite under Paul Townend on his comeback in the two-mile, five-furlong contest at Clonmel.
Senecia took them along with Il Etait Temps ridden patiently near the back but Townend took him into second coming to the third last and he soon closed the gap before taking the measure of the long-time leader coming down to the second-last.
After clearing the final two fences without much fuss, Il Etait Temps was eased down to score by 18 lengths from Senecia, with Intense Raffles boxing on for third ahead of the winner's stablemate Gentleman De Mee who finished a well-beaten last.
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus Benefits
It was a tenth career win in the race for trainer Mullins, with Townend bagging his seventh and fourth on the spin following Blue Lord, Allaho and Saint Sam 12 months ago.
“He’s grown up a lot in every way, he’s matured,” the winning rider said on Racing TV.
"The way he handled the place [Sandown] last year, the speed he handled the Pond Fence was encouraging to go back there anyway.
"He’s got his eye back in there, it would be a lovely race to win and have a crack at."
More from Sporting Life
- Free bets
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.