Owner/trainer Barry Connell managed to pull off that particular feat with the excellent Marine Nationale at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and he'll be hoping for a repeat performance in 2026. Here we take a closer look at his career so far.

Early days

Marine Nationale is by the relatively unknown sire French Navy, who stands at Kildangan Stud, and his dam Power Of Future won a couple of times over 1m6f on the Flat. He is the mare's fifth foal and three of his siblings managed to win under rules at least once.

Barry Connell's gelding made his debut in a Punchestown bumper in May 2022 and he went on to win rather comfortably. He travelled strongly throughout and did it in good style and the form worked out well too, with the next three horses home all winning next time.

Running in another bumper a couple of months later, the bookies sent him off as the 4/6 favourite and he didn't disappoint. He hit the front with three furlongs to go and drew steadily clear from that point on, scoring by 11 lengths without breaking sweat.

Ruling supreme in the novice hurdle division

Marine Nationale's next run came in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown in October 2022 and he scooted clear to score by four lengths, despite being plenty keen enough in the early stages. It was his jumping that really stood out and that would go on to be a major asset.

Connections then decided to step him up in grade for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse, which was a Grade 1 at the time. This time it was a bit less straightforward but he battled well to collar the very smart Irish Point on the line.

It was a bold move to give him a break before having a crack at the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but Connell freshened him up and got the gelding to Cheltenham in peak condition. Jumping and travelling eye-catchingly well, he kicked clear up the run-in to win well.

The switch to fences

He made the perfect start to his chasing career when winning well at Leopardstown the following Christmas. Making all the running that day, he jumped very well from the front and kicked on to score by a comfortable margin.

Things didn't quite go to plan in the Irish Arkle after that and he was a little disappointing, finishing fifth. Injury led to a lengthy absence subsequently and he returned in November 2024 in a Grade 3 at Naas. Entitled to need the run, he eventually finished second.

Defeats in two Grade 1s at Leopardstown came next but he roared back to his brilliant best in order to win the Champion Chase upon his return to Cheltenham. Jonbon was 18 lengths behind him in second and that horse is certainly no mug.

Beaten by half-a-length on seasonal debut at Leopardstown last month, he was an unlucky loser after jinking badly in the early stages and nearly losing his jockey. The Dublin Racing Festival could be next, although a return to Cheltenham will be the big aim.

Symbols Explained

ts² Tongue Strap vs² Visor hd² Hood es² Eye Shield ec² Eye Cover cp² Cheekpiece bl² Blinkers tt² Tongue Tie bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run srMentioned in Stewards Report in Results bbvBroke Blood Vessel

The superscript number on headgear bl² indicates number of times worn. A plus bl⁺ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl¹indicates first time.