Impaire Et Passe wins thrilling finish in Aintree Hurdle, beating Bob Olinger and Langer Dan in photo finish.

The winner, who was supported into even-money favouritism, came across the eventual third Langer Dan after the last. He had both the Coral Cup winner and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Bob Olinger bearing down on him in the final strides, but ultimately clung on by a nose, with Bob Olinger second and Langer Dan a short-head further behind in a thrilling finish to the 2m4f Grade 1. A stewards’ inquiry was called to determine the level of interference caused by Impaire Et Passe, but the placings remained unaltered. Having taken up the running approaching the final flight, Impaire Et Passe veered to his left, seemingly impeding Langer Dan, forcing Harry Skelton to switch to his outside before he ran on to finish a close third.

Langer Dan also drifted to his right after the last which denied Bob Olinger a clear run before he came with a late surge in the last 150 yards, but he just ran out of time to reel in the winner. It was Impaire Et Passe’s first Grade 1 victory since landing the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in April 2023.