WHAT a memorable opening day to the 2025 Aintree Festival it was for trainer Willie Mullins. The seven-race card contained four Grade 1 races, and horses trained by the multiple champion handler won all four, two of them with mares.

Mullins won the opening Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase last with Il Etait Temps, and did so again this time with the French-bred Impaire Et Passe (2018 g. Diamond Boy). Bred by Haras de Peyre and Mrs Pascale Papon, Impaire Et Passe has now amassed five Grade 1 wins, three over hurdles, and his sire stands at Con and Claire O’Keeffe’s Kilbarry Lodge Stud in Waterford. Diamond Boy is also sire of the dual Grade 1 chase winner L’Homme Presse.