Paul Townend claimed the Aintree Hurdle onboard Impaire Et Passe this afternoon, although there were some questions as to whether the result would be overturned in the aftermath of the race.
The Willie Mullins trained horse won after a scintillating finish to the Grade 1 affair, defeating off Bob Olinger and Langer Dan by the smallest of margins at the Merseyside venue.
😍 WHAT. A. RACE.
Impaire Et Passe is first past the post in a corking renewal of the G1 @AintreeRaces Hurdle pic.twitter.com/aAqldTvtz3— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 11, 2024
However, it soon emerged that there would be a stewards' enquiry into the result of the race.
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ITV viewers fascinated by Aintree stewards' enquiry footage
The potential issue being questioned was how much interference Impaire Et Passe had caused to the other horses during the course of the race, with the three jockeys involved in that tight finish summoned to the review room in order to discuss the potential infringement.
Rachael Blackmore and Harry Skelton would make their way to the room alongside Paul Townend, who was then asked to talk the stewards through his actions over the course of the race.
It seemed as though there were questions surrounding the manner in which Impaire Et Passe veered to its right after taking the final hurdle, with Langer Dan also running in that direction. That had the knock-on effect of blocking out Bob Olinger, who was travelling well in between those two horses.
However, Townend would make his case in the room as to why the result of the race should have been allowed to stand. The footage of this discussion was aired on ITV.
A behind-the-scenes look into the Stewards' Enquiry 👀
Fascinating insight into the moments that led to the decision to not overturn Impaire Et Passe's Aintree Hurdle win ❌#ITVRacing | @AintreeRaces pic.twitter.com/h2Jcw6QeAX— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 11, 2024
My horse is definitely the best horse on the day.
You can see where Mr Skelton's horse comes from the inside section out to meet me. As I come across, there is still loads of room for him to straighten his horse to get inside, until I quickened by him.
I'm gone sufficiently clear that I'm able to get onto the rail and use that as a guide to the line. As I say, none of the second or third horses have had to stop riding. Mine has done himself an injustice to be honest.
In the end, the stewards decided that no infringement had taken place and the race was allowed to stand.
Quite a few viewers were quick to point out how much they enjoyed getting to see this behind-the-scenes footage on the ITV broadcast.
This stewards enquiry is unbelievable absolutely brilliant TV.
— Richie O Sullivan (@RichieSull2011) April 11, 2024
Fascinating listening to the jockeys arguing their case in the stewards' enquiry room... pic.twitter.com/zqmNGFtwV0
— Fergal Lynch (@truefergallynch) April 11, 2024
This steward’s enquiry is fantastic viewing on @itvracing
I can’t see how they can change the result! So many “ifs, buts and maybes”
Brilliant stuff— Simon Clare (@SiClare) April 11, 2024
While it may entertain the viewers, the jockeys at Aintree will be hoping that they are not involved in any further similar incidents over the course of the week.
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