Grand National clues and a star novice - three things we learned this week

This week we saw may have seen a future star at Punchestown and some top-notch performances in Britain on Saturday – here are three things we learned . . .

Impaire Et Passe can play a major role in the spring Grade 1s

Time will tell whether the form of Impaire Et Passe's slick Moscow Flyer triumph will hold up, but his professional mindset and stylish jumping should allow him to play a major role in the top novice hurdles at the spring festivals.

His leap at the last was the only one that slightly let him down after noticeably outjumping market rival Shecouldbeanything throughout, but that barely slowed him down and it didn't take much encouragement from Paul Townend to see him quicken away very effectively on heavy ground at Punchestown.

Impaire Et Passe and Paul Townend clear the last at Punchestown on SundayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

While not as emphatic as the 19 lengths by which Dysart Dynamo hosed up in the same race last year, Impaire Et Passe's six-and-a-half-length winning margin is still more than Douvan and Vautour managed in this race.

It is a cliche that you need a horse with stamina to handle the Cheltenham hill in a Supreme, and Impaire Et Passe has proven he has that having won over further at Naas in December.

He is now 6-1 for both the Supreme and Ballymore, and it could be a while before his target is firmed up.

Stablemate Facile Vega remains odds-on for the Supreme and could cement himself as stable first choice at the Dublin Racing Festival, but in Impaire Et Passe he looks to have a potentially formidable rival.
Sam Hendry

There is nothing like watching a front-runner in full flight

There are plenty of spectacles to witness in racing, but perhaps none more impressive than a front-runner in full flight. That was evidenced on Saturday at both Kempton and Warwick, where we were treated to some stunning, bold-jumping performances.

Galia Des Liteaux, despite jumping slightly right on occasion at Warwick, attacked her fences with vigour under Harry Skelton and dominated her rivals in impressive fashion.

Paul Nicholls' fantastic season continued when Pic D'Orhy jumped his rivals into submission in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton, travelling powerfully between the fences and always looking in command thanks to some nimble jumping.

Similar comments apply to Annsam, who was given perhaps the ride of the day by Adam Wedge at Kempton. He utilised the eight-year-old's greatest weapon, his high cruising speed and accurate jumping, to devastating effect and never looked like being caught.

There is nothing quite like watching horses travelling with real enthusiasm, winging their fences and never seeing another rival. Whether it is an adrenaline-provoking watch like Galia Des Liteaux, or a majestic performance like Pic D'Orhy and Annsam, there is something special about it.
Owen Goulding

Pic D'Orhy was some sight out in front at Kempton on SaturdayCredit: Mark Cranham

A big Grand National contender announced himself in the Classic Chase - but it wasn't the winner

Iwilldoit's Classic Chase victory was a marvellous feat for trainer Sam Thomas after his star stayer had spent more than a year on the sidelines.

The ten-year-old had his perfect conditions in a stamina-sapping slog through the mud and doesn't appear to have missed a beat since his Welsh Grand National win in similar conditions in 2021.

Bookmakers have him prominent in the market for the Randox Grand National at no bigger than 20-1, but he is unlikely to encounter such favourable conditions at Aintree in the spring and isn't even qualified to run in the race yet.

For that, he needs one more run over fences by February 19, which does not give him much time after his Warwick exertions.

The more likely one to note for the Grand National could just be Mr Incredible, who finished eyecatching to nab second and has no such qualification issues.

Stamina would appear no concern and, aged just seven, he has plenty of scope for improvement.

Noble Yeats became the first seven-year-old to win at Aintree since 1940 off 147 last year, and Mr Incredible – owned by Paul Byrne, just like Noble Yeats was this time last year – could be in line for a similar mark. History may well repeat itself.
Sam Hendry

Read more from The Last Word . . .

Leighton Aspell: a super ride from Sheppard to match trainer's skill with returning Iwilldoit (£)

Racing Post Ratings: which 'future Grade 1 winner' impressed our handicapper this weekend? (£)

Cook Review: dramatic Dan Skelton revival gives pensive punters a kicking (£)

Catch our in-depth review of the weekend's racing every Monday in the Racing Post. With big-race analysis from Grand National-winning jockey Leighton Aspell, Chris Cook's take on the weekend action, eyecatchers from the Raceform team, things we learned from the week and much more, it is not to be missed.