I got some publishable result on my MRes research but I can only get a pass due to bad course marks.
How do this compare to a distinction when apply for a phd?

Well IMO it's something to talk about at interview but it would have helped a lot more if you had 'actually' published them.

I agree with Golfpro. To be brutally honest, anything is 'publishable' if you don't care where you publish it! It's only helpful to your career when it's published (or at least accepted for publication) in a credible journal. Good luck.