The closest finish to the Aintree Hurdle since the famous dead-heat between Monksfield and Night Nurse in 1977 was a memorable centrepiece to the opening day of the Grand National meeting here on Thursday, as Impaire Et Passe, Bob Olinger and Langer Dan flashed past the post with just a nose and a short-head between them.
The drama also continued after the race, as Impaire Et Passe, the even-money favourite, had to survive an extended stewards’ inquiry into possible interference on the run to the line. Willie Mullins’s gelding was eventually confirmed as the winner, however, giving the trainer a Grade One double on the day and a useful boost in his late challenge for the National Hunt trainers’ championship.
