The unbeaten Impaire Et Passe heads seven declarations for Sunday’s Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Bought out of Yannick Fouin's yard following an impressive Flat debut at Nancy in France, Impaire Et Passe routed a field of twenty-three rivals on hurdling debut at Naas last December. He went from strength to strength, taking the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Festival in March before following up in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival a month later.
Impaire Et Passe could be joined by stablemate Ashroe Diamond, whilst Gordon Elliott fields four runners – Beacon Edge, Irish Point, Zanahiyr and last year's victor Teahupoo. The Robcour-owned gelding followed up the Hatton's Grace success with a victory in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park, before placing third in the Grade 1 Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Paul Gilligan could take on the might of Mullins and Elliott with his stable star Buddy One, who caught the eye with a victory in the Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham during the November meeting.
Impaire Et Passe heads the market at 4/6 with Paddy Power.