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Teahupoo landed back to back victories in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday, beating the heavily backed Impaire Et Passe.

Although the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding followed up last year's Hatton's Grace success with victories in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park, he was unable to justify favouritism in the Grade 1 Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival when third and finished fourth in the Punchestown Festival equivalent. 

Teahupoo was probably facing one of his toughest tasks to date against Willie Mullins' unbeaten Impaire Et Passe, but the six-year-old rose admirably to the task. As the field came into the final straight, Impaire Et Passe appeared to be cruising for jockey Paul Townend, with Teahupoo alongside. The pair matched stride for stride up the straight, rising for the last flight in unison before Teahupoo began to demonstrate his gutsy attitude to draw half a length ahead for Jack Kennedy.

"We knew he was in good nick but obviously Willie's horse was going to be hard to beat over two and a half miles and we know our lad wants three," said Elliott. 

"Jack gave him a wonderful ride and was very clever on him, squeezed him along and said he was going to have one go at him between the last two.

"The horse has got a lot stronger. He's only a young horse and didn't do much wrong last year.

"We are going to do things a bit different this year and the plan is to go straight for the Stayers' Hurdle now.

"We might have knocked the edge off him in Gowran last year."

Teahupoo has been shortened from 6/1 to 4/1 for the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with Paddy Power, whilst Impaire Et Passe remains unchanged at 6/1 for the Champion Hurdle.