He found himself going to the front approaching the final flight as he sailed past stablemate and eventual third Sir Gerhard while in behind Harry Skelton was launching the eventual runner-up.
At Aintree he was a nose and a short-head behind his rival in a controversial finish, many feeling Impaire Et Passe would lose the race in the stewards' room having hung to his left after the final flight.
However this time the closest he could get to his idling rival was two-and-a-quarter lengths.
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“He’s improving for his little break over Cheltenham and that is probably him for the season now,” said Mullins. “He will probably go novice chasing next season, but he’s back to himself and that was a very good performance.
“I think he will make a nice chaser and I was going to go chasing with him this season. Simon (Munir) and Isaac (Souede) were happy to stay hurdling and at least it has now paid off. It didn’t look like it earlier in the season, but now it has “I think moving up in trip has been a big help to him.”
Townend said: “He did things right and going right-handed suited him. He went to sleep and I was just hoping he would come alive when I wanted him and he did.
“He is a lightly-raced horse and is not a flashy horse at home. He wasn’t flashy before his maiden hurdle and surprised us and he keeps it for the track where it matters most.”
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