Marasonnien returned to racing under Rules with a gutsy victory from the front in the Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase at Gowran Park on Saturday .

Pulled up in the 2013 Irish Grand National when last seen on the racecourse, the 10-year-old was sent off a 4-1 chance after a couple of efforts between the flags.

Favourite Salsify was waited with well off the pace and when he cut through the field approaching the last, Marasonnien looked in trouble, but Katie Walsh kept driving on Willie Mullins' charge and he found more to score by four lengths.

Walsh said: " 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."

That completed a double for Mullins, who had earlier bagged a winner with Ruby Walsh aboard when Haymount ran out a three-length success in the Best Of Luck To The Irish At Cheltenham Maiden Hurdle.

The 13-8 joint-favourite was only marginally in front at the second last, but quickened ahead after that and was always too strong for Alamein.

Mullins said: "I was thinking he should go for the EBF Hurdle final at Fairyhouse or maybe he could go for one of the novice hurdles there over shorter.

"He's maybe just getting the hang of racing and will prefer better ground.

"When we tried him over three miles he got beaten but he was maybe too keen and now we have him settling he might be better over a trip.

"He's a horse we're looking forward to going chasing with."

GUTSY DISPLAY

Toon River produced a gutsy display from the front to land the valuable Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase.

Mary Hallahan's 9-1 chance was always at the head of affairs under Davy Russell, though he relinquished his lead at the third last, allowing Toushan to stride on.

Toon River was back in front approaching the last, though, and though Noble Emperor came from miles off the pace to lay down a challenge up the run-in, he could not get to the winner, who held on by a length and a half.

That was Toon River's fourth win at the track and Hallahan said: "I don't know what it is about this place - the Gowran factor!

"I'm delighted with that as he hadn't the best form on paper coming into it and had some small little problems. He seems to love it around here and it brings him to life.

"We'll have to look at the calendar and see what's coming up; hopefully there's something here.

"Davy (Russell) gave him a good ride and gets on very well with him."

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