IMPAIRE ET PASSE survives stewards’ enquiry to land dramatic Aintree Hurdle

Impaire Et Passe had to survive a lengthy stewards’ inquiry before being declared the winner of the William Hill Aintree Hurdle. Willie Mullins’ evens favourite rounded the final bend on the bridle but did not run straight to the line as both Langer Dan and Bob Olinger threw down their challenges in what was a thrilling finish to the Grade One contest. Impaire Et Passe appeared to cross Langer Dan’s path after the last, while Bob Olinger also seemed to drift inwards on the run to the line, leaving Langer Dan sandwiched between them. The judge was required to split the trio as they crossed the line, with Impaire Et Passe coming home a nose in front of Bob Olinger, with Langer Dan a further short head back in third, A stewards’ inquiry was soon called, but Impaire Et Passe was eventually confirmed the victor. Willie Mullins said: “When I looked at all of the different angles I thought the overhead angle looked very good. It was very revealing and that gave us a great chance. When Paul (Townend) went past Harry (Skelton on Langer Dan) after the last hurdle there was never any interference there, and I thought it was going to be very hard to disqualify us at that stage. There were pluses and minuses, but on the balance of it I thought it was a hard result to change. “Paul thought he was idling in front, and I think that was a legitimate excuse as well, but it will be interesting to hear how it went with the stewards’. To get him back in a Grade One, and a race of this magnitude, was fantastic after his last two runs. I have to say one thing watching the race I thought Rachael (Blackmore on Bob Olinger) gave the ride of the race. Her riding was fantastic, but she just didn’t get there. “He is in at Punchestown, but we will think about France. We will have to see how he comes out of that race.” Henry de Bromhead, trainer of runner-up Bob Olinger, said: “He’s run brilliantly all season. It’s just a shame not to win, but there we go. A couple of people said we’d won, but sadly we hadn’t. And you always hope you’ll get it [in the stewards’ room], but c’est la vie.” #horseracing #horse #horses Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ Racing Greats ➡️ All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK’s leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland. Subscribe to Racing TV’s free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): Also watch Racing TV at and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: