'This was the big one' - Impaire Et Passe gives Daryl Jacob a perfect Christmas send-off

Impaire Et Passe made it two from two over fences with a decisive success in Limerick's signature race of the season in a glorious final Grade 1 race for Daryl Jacob.

A workmanlike chasing debut by Impaire Et Passe at Fairyhouse earlier in the month was comfortably eclipsed by this impressive display under Jacob, who will have his final ride at Leopardstown on Sunday after opting to bring forward his retirement.

In a race run at a stop-start gallop, which led to all seven runners having some sort of chance heading towards the straight, Jacob's mount showed a level of ability which his rivals were unable to match as he went on between the last two fences.

He drew clear on the run to the line to win by four lengths from outsider Jordans, with Search For Glory another half-length away in third. The manner in which he stood off the last two fences was one of the most pleasing aspects.

Daryl Jacob gives Impaire Et Passe a kiss after their Grade 1 win at LimerickCredit: Lorraine O'Sullivan

Jacob's retirement season has been stop-start due to injury but this proved a great way to sign off. He said: “It's been a very frustrating season and it's been hard work, but it has paid off. I knew I had one or two good rides coming into Christmas and this was the big one. 

"Simon Munir and Isaac Souede have been an integral part of my career for the past 11 years, which is a long time. They are big brothers to me and I owe my career to them. It's very special.”

Paddy Power cut the winner to 8-1 (from 20) for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

Jacob said: “This trip around here was perfect for him. It was a nice opportunity for him and it was great to be on his back today. He was very good, he was on the bridle the whole way. He jumped the first four well and he got loads of confidence from that.

“I got him a bit of daylight turning into the straight. Search For Glory picked up really well in front of me, but my fellow has really picked up from the back of the second-last and he was really long at the last.

"Hopefully, he's a really exciting horse for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede for the rest of the year. He's a horse that can get a bit lazy three-quarters of the way through his races, but once he got rolling again he was very good.” 

Impaire Et Passe (Daryl Jacob) quickens clear to win at LimerickCredit: Lorraine O'Sullivan

Jordans, who briefly looked to have a chance before the second-last and, despite not winning, continued the amazing run of Joseph O'Brien's horses in Grade 1 races over the Christmas period, a run continued still further by the victory of Home On The Lee in the Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown 20 minutes later.

Rider Richie Deegan said: “That was a great run. We didn't go quick and it developed into a bit of a sprint, but he came home well. I thought I had a chance at the second-last but he was just beaten by a very good horse.”

Read this next:

Home By The Lee continues magical festive period for Joseph O'Brien with second victory in Savills Hurdle 

The Racing Post is now available to follow on WhatsApp channels! 

Follow Racing Post Insider on WhatsApp and you can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest news, tips, insights, live reactions and much more. Click the group link and get Racing Post notifications straight to your phone via WhatsApp.