At the Cheltenham Festival, Il Etait Temps capitalized on Majborough’s consistent jumping faults to clinch the title in the prestigious Queen Mother Champion Chase. Despite being the favorite, Majborough, trained by Willie Mullins and owned by JP McManus, found himself struggling again with his jumping, particularly on the second circuit where he made critical mistakes that ultimately cost him any chance of victory.

Jockey Mark Walsh, who rode Majborough, had promised an aggressive approach but the plan met with disappointment as Majborough galloped ahead, appearing to jump well initially but then faltering under pressure. His performance continues a troubling trend for short-priced favorites in this two-mile championship race, as these contenders have struggled in recent years, with only one of the last seven able to secure their expected wins.

The use of cheekpieces this season aimed to correct Majborough's jumping irregularities, but the results were less than hoped for. The race served not only as a reminder of the unpredictability of horse racing but also highlighted the challenges trainers face in preparing athletes for elite competitive conditions, especially under the pressure of the Cheltenham Festival, where the stakes are elevated and the competition fierce.