IMPAIRE Et Passe gained traction in both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle markets after he put up a smart performance to secure a ninth Grade 2 SkyBet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle for Willie Mullins since 2009.

The Isaac Souede and Simon Munir-owned five-year-old made a big impression on his Irish debut, bolting 18 lengths clear in a maiden hurdle over two miles and three furlongs at Naas.

Down to two miles, he vied for the lead with Gordon Elliott’s mare Shecouldbeanything, often getting to the front as a result of quick jumps, a characteristic which impresed his rider Paul Townend.

Blemish

He did fluff the last, the only blemish on his card, but still had way too much for Noel Meade’s The Model Kingdom, who ran well in second, with Shecouldbeanything fading back into third. Assistant trainer David Casey was on hand to reflect on the performance.

“Paul just said he was completely idle when he got to the front, but he was sharper than he was the last day and we couldn’t be happier with him,” he said. “He’s learning away, this was just the third run of his life. His jumping was good today and jumping fences will be his forte. He’s getting better.

“If you saw him at home you wouldn’t have two bob on him. He just doesn’t show what he shows you at the races. I thought he’d win at Naas but I didn’t think he’d win the way he did. Maybe it was a bad race but Paul said he was definitely quicker today.

“I’d say he could go any trip. I’m sure they’ll sort themselves out before we need to make any major decisions.”

Impaire Et Passe ranged between 5/1 and 8/1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and 6/1 and 8/1 for the Ballymore.

The most recent five of his trainer’s winners in this contest went for the latter, but stablemate Facile Vega is already odds-on for that contest.

Mullins and Townend made it a double a half an hour later when Tactical Move overcame a 1,158-day break to win the first division of the Seamus and Annie Hughes Memorial Maiden Hurdle.

The Joe and Marie Donnelly-owned nine-year-old raced keenly early on and also jumped to his left, but he always seemed to be going well and, once he took over from long-term leader Stellium in the straight, he stayed on strongly to win by five and a half lengths.

Stellium ran a fine race in second, defying odds of 66/1, while Let’s Go Champ, who was himself trying to overcome a 1,344-day absence, ran well in third.

“I’m surprised at that,” said Casey. “I didn’t think he’d be fit enough, he must be a fair animal. Paul said he took a couple of blows and there’d be huge improvement. He’s obviously had trouble so we’ll try and keep him sound and go where we can.”

Long absence

Royal Thief was another to defy a long absence, 782 days in his case, when he ran out a comfortable winner of the Total Event Rental Amateur National.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained chaser was given a fine ride by Patrick Mullins who charted a wide path in search of better ground. He travelled better than any of his rivals when trying to chase down the long-term leader Fakiera and eventually ran out a 10-length winner of that rival.

The Gigginstown-owned nine-year-old was a useful hurdler, finishing mid division in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in 2020, and was winning here off a mark of 123. De Bromhead had no immediate plans for him but the Irish Grand National Trial here next month could be an option.

Career best from Murphy’s mare

THERE were a few eyebrows raised early last season when Colm Murphy suggested Impervious could be up there with the best mares he has trained but she went some way to proving him right with a career-best performance win in the Grade 3 Madigan Group Novice Chase. This looked a smart contest beforehand with the likes of Ha D’or, Journey With Me and Minella Crooner lining up and Impervious had to shoulder a Grade 2 penalty, meaning she had to concede 1lb to the field.

The seven-year-old mare, carrying the colours of J.P. McManus for the first time, was held up in behind that trio through the early stages, before her rider Brian Hayes allowed her to get closer down the back straight.

Decent advantage

Journey With Me, who had taken over the running from the sketchy-jumping Ha D’or at halfway, had built up a decent advantage by the time he’d reached the straight but once asked to challenge, Impervious was a willing partner. She moved up to Journey With Me at the last and, though it was a tight battle from here, she won readily.

“She has probably answered a lot of questions there,” Murphy reflected. “It was a tall order to be giving weight away to them boys.

“It was probably a little worry that she was on heavy ground as well. We’re delighted with her. She wears her heart on her sleeve, she gives everything and she’d die for you. You never know where these mares can get to once they start improving. Without speaking to J.P. and Frank, I’d imagine the Mares’ Chase is the plan but we will see what they think.”

Impervious ranged between 7/4 and 9/4 with bookmakers for that Cheltenham Festival target.

Prior to that, the green and gold colours were already in the winners’ enclosure as for the second Sunday in a row, Aidan Kelly rode an easy winner for J.P. McManus, this time on Aidan Howard’s Birdie Blitz.

The grey mare always travelled well in the 15% Off Festival Tickets Mares Handicap Hurdle and found herself in front as they turned in. She picked up well and went clear for Kelly, who had the luxury of easing her down on the run-in, with six lengths to the runner-up Lizlucky at the line.

Russell’s return to the winner’s enclosure

ON a cold day at Punchestown, there was a very warm reception for Davy Russell whose fourth ride since his dramatic comeback was a winner on Gordon Elliott’s Sa Fureur in the second division of the Seamus and Annie Hughes Memorial Maiden Hurdle.

“It’s grand to be back,” Russell said in the winner’s enclosure. “I probably panicked a bit turning in but, in fairness to the horse, he stayed on well. I’m having a good blow now!

“The crowd were great there. We’re very lucky in this sport with the people that follow us and have an interest in the game.”

Sa Fureur, winning in the colours of Caldwell Construction, had run well on his hurdles debut when second to Maidenstreetprince at Limerick over Christmas. Russell allowed his mount to make ground on the outside as they turned for home and, though he looked vulnerable to the favourite Bialystok, he had enough in reserve to hold a comfortable advantage.

It was a one-two in the race for Gordon Elliott with Stuzzikini coming through for second while Bialystok, who had made a significant error at the flight before the straight, finished third.

The final race on the card, the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase, went to Martin Hassett’s Solomon Lane, who fought hard to see off a tenacious effort by Made In The Woods.

Ridden by Cian Quirke, the John Dwan-owned eight-year-old survived a scare when hampered at the first fence but travelled well from a hold-up position and took it up when ridden to do so before the last. He had to battle hard against the runner-up, whose rider Robbie Geoghegan had earlier lost his irons, so it was a fine effort by the pair in defeat.

Earlier Salmanino got off the mark for Liz Doyle and the Fauda Partnership in the Sporting Life Beginners Chase.

Runner-up on both of his previous runs, the seven-year-old made all for Donagh Meyler, jumping well and he was a comfortable winner, with From The Ashes four lengths adrift in second. Doyle was thankful for the opportunity (the race was restricted to horses rated 109 or lower over hurdles) and said soft or heavy ground is a must for him.