WILLIE Mullins recorded his first Grade 1 win of the festive period when Impaire Et Passe proved a cut above his rivals in the Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase.

The victory also proved a significant one for winning rider Daryl Jacob, who announced in the aftermath that he will retire from the saddle at Leopardstown on Sunday. He made the most of his opportunity to partner the 8/13 favourite while Paul Townend was in action at Leopardstown and always appeared to be confident on the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned six-year-old.

Produced to press the eventual third Search For Glory between the final two fences, the now four-time Grade 1 winner shot clear with a bold leap at the last and pulled four lengths clear at the line from a staying-on Jordans, trained by the red-hot Joseph O’Brien.

The Betfair Sportsbook reacted by cutting Impaire Et Passe to 8/1 (from 20/1) for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Jacob said: “He was very good, he really picked up from the back of the second-last and was good, brave and long at the last.

“I’ve always said it that two miles racing against State Man and the likes was always going to be too sharp and it was proven in the Aintree Hurdle. Please God he comes out of this well and is an exciting horse for the ‘double green’ for the rest of the season.”

On his recent injury troubles: “I’m not going to lie, it has been a very frustrating spell for me and has been hard work. I knew I had one or two good rides coming into the Christmas period so wanted to get back for it and whatever happens now, I’ve got a Grade 1.

“Obviously Simon and Isaac have been an integral part of my career for the last 11 years, that is a long time and we have a massive association. They are like brothers to me so I owe my whole life to them and also to Robert and Sally Alner as well. This is very very special.”

Last season’s Aintree Hurdle hero joined a roll of honour that, across the last five years alone, includes Gaelic Warrior (2023), Gerri Colombe (2022), Colreevy (2020) and Faugheen (2019).