Teahupoo proved too game for hot favourite Impaire Et Passe as he completed back-to-back wins in the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Gordon Elliott’s charge ended the long unbeaten run of Honeysuckle in the Grade One contest last year and this time it was Willie Mullins’ Impaire Et Passe who had his bubble burst.

Sent off the 4-5 favourite, Impaire Et Passe was looking to pick up where he left off last term with top-level successes at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals and he appeared to be travelling supremely well as they turned for home.

Pacemaker Zanahiyr dropped out in the straight, leaving Paul Townend to go for home on the market leader – but Teahupoo had other ideas.

The pair were neck and neck on the approach to the final flight but it was Teahupoo who kept finding for pressure on the run to the line, with Jack Kennedy’s mount registering a length success at odds of 85-40.

Teahupoo finished a close third in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last term and Betfair go 4-1 from 6s about him for that race, while Impaire Et Passe is out to 8-1 from 11-2 for the Champion Hurdle following the first defeat of his career.

A Cheltenham return in March is now top of Elliott’s agenda, with the trainer planning a direct route for Teahupoo this time.

He said: “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.

“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.”

Owner Brian Acheson, in whose Robcour colours Teahupoo runs, added: “The key to this horse, like Bob Olinger, is Robbie Power. He takes a lot of the horses during the summer and does a bit of dressage.

“Everything is for the welfare of the horses to get them physically in good condition and mechanically working well.

“Bob Olinger is not going for the Stayers’ as he doesn’t stay three miles, but he might go to Aintree and take on Constitution Hill.”

Kennedy is now the most successful rider in the history of the race, having also won back-to-back renewals with Apple’s Jade in 2017 and 2018.

He said: “I think he’s after improving from last year, he seems a stronger horse. That was very good there and I’m delighted with him.

“He’s a pleasure to ride. Paul (Townend’s) lad looked to be on it a bit and I was kind of pushing him along a bit trying to make him do as much as he could.

“This lad was very good, he was tough and did it well in the end.

“I enjoy riding this lad. Obviously, he gave me a great day here last year as well, so it’s brilliant for him to back it up again this year.

“Hopefully, it’s onwards and upwards.”