Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle: Impaire Et Passe shortens for Cheltenham Festival after smart Punchestown victory
Impaire Et Passe (1/3 favourite) beat The Model Kingdom and Shecouldbeanything to win Grade Two Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday; winner cut to 11/2 for Supreme (Sky Bet) and 6/1 for the Ballymore at Cheltenham
Sunday 15 January 2023 15:15, UK
Impaire Et Passe's reputation continues to grow after an unchallenged success in the SkyBet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.
The five-year-old had a French bumper win under his belt before joining Willie Mullins' stable for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, after which he won a Naas maiden hurdle by 18 lengths in December.
That performance left him the 1/3 favourite in a small-field renewal of the two-mile Moscow Flyer, a price that was substantiated when the gelding strolled home six-and-a-half lengths ahead under Paul Townend.
- Skelton: I need Gold Cup and Grand National to win trainers' title
- Shishkin booked for Ascot Chase return after setback
As a result Impaire Et Passe has been trimmed in the market for both the Supreme and the Ballymore Novices' Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival, becoming a 6/1 chance for both races with Betfair and Paddy Power.
"He was very good, he showed a good turn of foot. As we said after Naas, he doesn't show us that at home," Townend said of the Grade Two victory. "I was very happy with him there, he jumped like a buck and the only hurdle he was slow at was the last when he was in front, but he picked up nicely at the back of it again. The worry was coming back in trip but he showed pace today.
"I don't know [how good he is] because we can't get him to do it at home to be honest, but he keeps doing it on the track. I think he's very smart and he gave me a great feel today."
Townend also added that the Dublin Racing Festival may come a bit too quickly for the horse, saying: "I don't know if Willie normally comes here and goes to the Dublin Racing Festival. I'd say this is the one instead of it, but wherever he goes I wouldn't mind being on his back."
Impervious sets up Cheltenham shot with Punchestown win
Impervious remains unbeaten over fences after a tough triumph in the Madigan Group Novice Chase.
The mare won on her debut over fences and then took a Grade Two contest against her own sex last time for trainer Colm Murphy, leaving her to carry a penalty amongst a field of geldings.
That burden was largely negated by her mares' allowance, and under Brian Hayes the seven-year-old started at 3/1 for the Grade Three contest.
Locked in a run for the line with Henry de Bromhead's Journey With Me, Impervious battled to get her head in front and eventually prevailed by half a length with the rest of the field 22 lengths or more behind.
As a result, Impervious is now the sponsor's 6/4 favourite for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
"I'm delighted with that," said Murphy. "It was a tall order giving weight to those boys. It was probably a little, tiny worry running her on heavy ground too, but she's answered a lot of questions. We can make more plans now.
"She's one of those, she wears her heart on her sleeve and she gives everything."
When asked if she would go straight to the Cheltenham Festival the trainer added: "Without talking to the lads I'm guessing so. I'll have a word with Frank (Berry, racing manager) and JP (McManus, owner) and see then.
"She seems to be improving and especially with those fillies, when they start improving you don't know where they'll end up but I do know it's nice to have her."
