Hatton's Grace Hurdle Tips: The Start Of Something Special at Fairyhouse

Just five will line up in the prestigious Hatton's Grace Hurdle on Sunday at Fairyhouse, which sadly is at the mercy of the weather gods amidst this cold snap. Hopefully the race gets the green light along with the rest of the card, as we are set to witness the open company debut of a horse who has looked very special; Impaire Et Passe. Billy Grimshaw is on hand to preview the race for us and he cannot wait to see 2023's Ballymore hero strut his stuff...

This should be quite the race if all five in the field take their chance, as we have a horse in Teahupoo who in many people's eyes should've won the Stayers' Hurdle facing off with the Ballymore champion who won the race in such stunning fashion IMPAIRE ET PASSE. Zanahiyr is no back number either, although it would be pretty disappointing were he to scoop this pot considering the scope of improvement in the top two in the market.

Buddy One and Ashroe Diamond complete the field after Irish Point was not declared, but they fall into a similar category as the aforementioned Zanahiyr in that it would be a damp squib of a finish to the race were they to reign supreme. Teahupoo is undoubtedly the main danger to the odds-on shot from Closutton, as he travelled so sweetly in the Stayers' at Cheltenham that one suspects were that race over this distance he would've won. With another summer on his back, the horse still only at the tender age of six could have plenty of improvement left in him and he must be massively respected. He was a bit below par when only fourth at Punchestown, but that form behind Klassical Dream could well be strong knowing how good that rival can be on his day.

It is the way of the world in jumps racing that no trainer seems to target anything other than a Cheltenham Festival race these days, but Gordon Elliott has confirmed that Teahupoo's season revolves around another crack at the Stayers' Hurdle and they are working back from that. A staying on second place behind the favourite with more gears would probably suit the Elliott team just fine and with that in mind I think Impaire Et Passe is a solid proposition to win even at short odds.

Incredibly, Willie Mullins' stunning winner of the Ballymore will only be having his sixth career start here at Fairyhouse. In his five previous runs he has won each race as he likes, with every performance improving from the last. It would be a mighty effort were he to win this, his seasonal debut when surely not fully tuned up, in more emphatic fashion than he devoured the Ballymore at Cheltenham, but Impaire Et Passe is like Teahupoo still only six and the exciting prospect is how much he could've improved from last season to this.

The manner in which this race will be run is a bit unclear at this stage as the veterans in the field have all run differently depending on which race they've been in. My suspicion is Impaire Et Passe will take the lead here and not see another rival. His form is rock solid, particularly the distance he beat Gaelic Warrior in the Ballymore considering the monstrous performance that enigmatic novice chaser put in on his debut over the larger obstacles.

Realistically, Constitution Hill is the best two mile hurdler in a generation and may go on to become the greatest of all time. The chances of Impaire Et Passe being as good or even getting within a few lengths come Cheltenham are remote, and he looks cursed to be in the same generation as an all timer (much like stablemate State Man). Nevertheless, he is a wonderful horse himself and could make up into a top notch challenger for Constitution Hill to exemplify his brilliance against. With age on his side, Impaire Et Passe could go undefeated in Ireland before a gallant second in a Champion Hurdle and chasing next season. That looks the most likely outcome and the way it will all begin is with an authoritative win here.