Grade 1 winning hurdler lands Tetratema

It has been a long time 'between drinks' for the Willie Mullins trained, Rich Ricci owned Marasonnien who registered his first win since April 2012 when landing the historic Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase at Gowran today.

Talented Marasonnien, now a ten year old, was last successful in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the 2012 Punchestown Festival and while he performed with credit subsequently in his novice chase season (2012/13), failed to win in four starts.

The French bred gelding had been absent for three years before returning to point-to-pointing this season but showed plenty of his old spark to win today, making all under Katie Walsh to beat off the challenge of top hunter Salsify

Following the win, a delighted Walsh stated “obviously Patrick (Mullins) would have been riding but he was suspended.

“He was brilliant and jumped super. He's a Grade 1 winner so if he came back to anywhere near that sort of form he was capable of doing that.

“I can see him jumping the Aintree fences backwards judged on that - he was class and it's great to win this race for the first time.”

Marasonnien's win was completing a double for trainer Mullins following the win of Haymount earlier.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson