Michael Graham
Impaire Et Passe one for the notebook
Impaire Et Passe impresses on his first run in Ireland
© Photo Healy Racing
French-import Impaire Et Passe made a very taking debut in the Jack Carter Naas Member Maiden Hurdle.
He won his sole race on the Flat in France by six lengths in March and trebled that winning margin today as he justified 4/7 favouritism.
He raced close up behind Stellium and Small Money and made headway to lead at the final flight.
Paul Townend always looked confident on him and his partner was far from extended in scooting right away from the field in the final furlong.
The aptly-named For Fear Of Frost came in a remote second, but brought up the place money for his backers who punted him from 50/1 to 22/1. Third-placed Artiste D'ainay also had his backers at 20/1.
Willie Mullins said: “He galloped out through the line and on that ground there is not too many that will do that today.
“He seems to have a huge among of scope jumping. He just put down at the last, I think it was the first one he was in front.
“He has huge potential and is one to look forward to for Simon (Munir) and Isaac (Souede).
“He’s not entered in the Lawlors and maybe we could look at the Moscow Flyer in Punchestown.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee