Impaire Et Passe headlines four-timer for Townend and Mullins

Paul Townend won on all four of his rides at Gowran on Saturday, including the feature Red Mills Chase aboard Impaire Et Passe.

The Grand National entrant had been in the news this week having taken part in a racecourse gallop with stablemate Kopek Des Bordes in which he came off second best.

He paid quite the compliment to Willie Mullins’ Arkle contender, coming from last to first in style to justify 4-9 favouritism by a length and a quarter from Sa Fureur.

“It was always going to be a tactical race and it was just a case of when the others would pull the trigger (pace-wise). I was in the wrong position but luckily was on the best horse,” said Townend.

“He was good and brave at the second-last when we were trapping on and he was the class horse of the race. He had won five Grade Ones so it is no secret how good he is.”

Townend and Mullins also won the Red Mills Trial Hurdle with Strong Heart (11-10 favourite) who has returned as good as ever having been lightly raced since a productive juvenile season.

He looked beaten heading to the last with Workahead still in front but found plenty for pressure, eventually winning by a length and a half.

“It was a tough performance and I didn’t know how well I was going for much of the race to be honest,” said Townend. “When I got him out and set about him, he stuck it out really well and he got a good jump at the last when he needed it.

“He is now starting to fulfil what I thought he might do as a novice and it is nice for him to get his head in front. He seems versatile ground-wise and handles that testing ground.”

Madness d’Elle (2-5 favourite) won the Sea Moon & Silverwave At Burgage Stud Maiden Hurdle for Mullins and Townend, with King Alexander (4-9 favourite) making all in the QuinnBet Beginners Chase.

Gordon Elliott’s Lord Rouge (9-2) took the rearranged Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle in which stable first string Bally Free disappointed.

“He toughed it out really well and Danny (Gilligan) said he showed a good attitude. He probably still needs to learn how to race and can be off and on the bridle a little bit, but it is lovely to see him do that as he had been very disappointing at Naas the last day,” said stable representative Lisa O’Neill.

Norman Williamson’s son Josh won his first race since turning professional on Grimaud (4-1) in the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series At Punchestown Festival 2026 Qualifier Handicap Hurdle to give Elliott a double.

“This is a very special day and is one I’ve been waiting for for a couple of weeks,” said Williamson.

“I was hoping it came earlier as I had a few other chances, but thank God I got it today. I rode 29 winners as an amateur, had a great time and it was a great grounding.”