Trainer Willie Mullins and owners Rich and Susannah Ricci teamed up to land a rare 1-2-3 in a Grade 1 when Marasonnien (12/1), Vesper Bell (14/1) and Sous Les Cieux (7/2 Fav) respectively filled the first three positions in the Irish Daily Mirror War Of Attrition Novice Hurdle.
“I don't think I've ever done that before and it's great for the owners,” said Mullins. “The winner loved the ground and Ruby (Walsh) said that Sous Les Cieux didn't stay so he'll step back in trip.
“I would think all three of them will go over fences. They are three stayers that we thought were the types to make chasers when we got them.”
Marasonnien's rider Paul Townend added: “It was a slog but he came out on the best side of it. He picked up again after going to the last and stayed on at the end. He's a fine horse with size and scope and should have a good future.”
The Mullins-trained Loch Ard (6/4 Fav) had earlier relished the rain-softened ground to win the Louis Fitzgerald Four-Year-Old Hurdle under Ruby Walsh.
“These are the sort of conditions he wants,” said Mullins. “And we will try and find another race for him now. He could go to Auteuil where he might also go through it.
“They are galloping through this ground, the water makes it good and loose and I didn't see any problems in that race.”
Trainer Steve Nolan and jockey Ian McCarthy teamed up to take the opening Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle with Shamiran (12/1).
“I think conditions out there are perfectly safe,” said McCarthy. “The horses are getting through it. The island hurdles are dividing the bad spots but it's definitely perfectly safe. About six or seven of us lined up to make it. My lad took a bit of a tug to the first and I jumped it in front. I was able to steady it up everywhere I needed to suit myself.
“He's a tough little horse. We were going into the unknown with him today going over two and a half miles and in these conditions, but in fairness he battled and galloped to the line with me.
“There are a few puddles out there. It is heavy ground but the tacky ground you get all over the country during the winter would probably take more out of a horse. The horses are getting through it.”
Nolan added: “I had him in the Setantabet.com Hurdle on Saturday but I said to the owners that we'd drop him in class and he'd have a right chance in this. He's a fresh horse, it's only his third run of the year.
“Ian is a great rider, he comes into ride work with me twice a week and I think he is very underrated.”
