Should Willie Mullins aim Impaire Et Passe at the Supreme or Ballymore?

Impaire Et Passe was cut for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle over 2m and the longer Ballymore Novices' Hurdle over 2m5f after impressing at Punchestown. Which race at the festival do our experts favour?

'His last five winners of the Moscow Flyer have gone down that route'

If he were mine it would be the Supreme and history would tell you Willie Mullins’ first instinct might be the same. His last five winners of the Moscow Flyer have gone down that route and Impaire Et Passe looks cut from the right cloth to join that list as he has a good cruising speed and the ability to stay a little bit further.

The fly in the ointment is stablemate Facile Vega and if those two are miles clear of the rest in the pecking order at Closutton then splitting them up might be tempting to Mullins.

It almost makes you yearn for the days when there was a 2m2f Grade 1 at what is now the Dublin Racing Festival, so Facile Vega's suitablity for the Ballymore could be tested.
Scott Burton, France correspondent

'I would be leaning toward the Ballymore'

It’s easy to make an argument for both races with a horse of this ability, but I would be leaning toward the Ballymore with Impaire Et Passe.

I was taken by how he saw out the 2m3f trip on his winning debut at Naas and he looked full of running again when hitting the line this time. He is a relaxed horse who jumps impeccably and would likely relish further.

Impaire Et Passe is imperious in the Moscow FlyerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Facile Vega seems to be the stable’s main Supreme contender and Mullins could have very a strong hand in both races should he keep the pair apart.
Jordan Norris, reporter

'He has the attributes of a Supreme horse'

I'd chance him in the Supreme. To win that you need a horse with plenty of natural pace and ability but also one who really sees out the two miles well, and that is exactly what Impaire Et Passe looks.

I didn't think this was a strong Moscow Flyer but he is clearly extremely talented and he was pretty much foot perfect bar the last.

The Supreme is never the easiest race to judge in terms of pace but sometimes they can go quite quick. That would add more emphasis on stamina, which would be a major bonus for him given we already know he would get further.

Ultimately he would have a live chance in either and where he runs may well be dictated by where Willie Mullins feels his chances are weaker. Facile Vega is an odds-on shot for the Supreme after all.
James Stevens, West Country correspondent

How the markets look

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1.30, March 14)

Sky Bet: 5-6 Facile Vega, 7-2 Marine Nationale, 11-2 Impaire Et Passe 10 Tahmuras, 14 High Definition, Rare Edition, 20 bar

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (1.30, March 15)

Sky Bet: 5-2 Hermes Allen, 6 Impaire Et Passe, Gaelic Warrior, Champ Kiely, 10 Facile Vega, 11 Grangeclare West, 12 Irish Point, 14 Inthepocket, 20 bar

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