The inclement conditions forced officials to put the Punchestown Gold Cup and Guinness Handicap Chase back to Saturday and, on a reduced day two of the Festival, Marasonnien (12/1) took centre stage in the Irish Daily Mirror War Of Attrition Novice Hurdle.
Paul Townend had the leaders in his sights for much of the three-mile contest and slipped through on the inside to challenge two out.
Always travelling best from that point, he saw off Vesper Bell by three lengths, with Sous Les Cieux completing a 1-2-3 for Willie Mullins and the Ricci family.
The champion trainer claimed the other Grade 1 on the card when Champagne Fever added the betchronicle.com Champion INH Flat Race to his Cheltenham success.
Patrick Mullins made all the running on the 11/4 market leader and although a combination of the bottomless going and inexperience showed in the straight, Mullins jnr kept him going to beat Melodic Rendezvous < Loch Ard is another smart prospect for Mullins and proved a class apart from his Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle rivals.
A winner on testing ground at Gowran Park last month, the 6/4 favourite made rapid headway to press for the lead entering the straight, and had seized the initiative by the time the front-running Wrekin Rock capsized at the final flight.
In the hands of Ruby Walsh, Loch Ard coasted home a long way ahead of French import Un Beau Matin < Flash Of Genius completed a brilliant four-timer for Mullins in the At The Races INH Flat Race, while Shamiran handled the atrocious conditions best of all in the Martinstown Opportunity Series Handicap Hurdle.
UK challenger Weekend Millionair gave a bold sight under Tom Bellamy and the Stephen Nolan-trained winner was the only one to go with him when he kicked on approaching the turn.
Ian McCarthy got the 12/1 shot in front by the last and kept him up to his work to register a brave two-and-three-quarter-length success.
