Clean sweep for Mullins & Riccis Marasonnien led home a Willie Mullins '1-2-3' in the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror War of Attrition Novice Hurdle at Punchestown today, providing the Champion Trainer with a first such feat at Grade 1 company. Marasonnien, in common with stablemates runner-up Vesper Bell and third placed Sous Les Cieux (7/2 favourite), carried the colours of owners Susannah and Rich Ricci and the trio led home nine non-Mullins trained runners. Marasonnien (14/1) proved best of the Mullins/Ricci alliance and, once moving to the front entering the straight, kept up the gallop to defeat Vesper Bell by three lenghts. Seven to two favourite Sous Les Cieux was seven and a half lengths back in third having never really looked a winner. Afterwards Mullins, who was recording a double on the day, said “Marasonnien isn't the prettiest horse in the world but he loves the ground. I'm looking forward to going chasing, probably with the three of them, next season. “We try to buy staying horses, that will make chasers and that's what they are. Ruby said that Sous Les Cieux didn't stay the three miles and I'm going to go back in trip with him and make more use of him. “I'm delighted for the owners to have the first three finishers in a Grade 1 race.”
