MARINE NATIONALE records hugely emotional Champion Chase win

There were emotional scenes at the Cheltenham Festival as Marine Nationale honoured the memory of the late Michael O’Sullivan by galloping to BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase glory.

O’Sullivan will always be inextricably linked with Barry Connell’s stable star, having steered the eight-year-old to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success in 2023. And barely a month after the young jockey’s tragic death following injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles, Marine Nationale returned to the Prestbury Park winner’s enclosure once again.

Sent off the 5-1 second-favourite in the hands of Sean Flanagan, Marine Nationale was ridden in mid-pack as dual winner Energumene set off from the front, quickly joined by Quilixios and the forward-going Solness.

There was real drama at the fifth-last when Nicky Henderson’s 5-6 favourite Jonbon made an error which ultimately put paid to his chances and the rest of the field sensed the opportunity, as Flanagan moved his mount into the ideal position to strike heading down the hill after three out.

Energumene’s challenge would soon peter out, with Quilixios and Marine Nationale seemingly left to fight out the finish, but having jumped the last in unison, Henry de Bromhead’s charge crumpled on landing, to leave Flanagan and Marine Nationale to soak up the adulation as they headed up the hill for home.

To his credit, Jonbon kept on for second, but he was some 18 lengths adrift of the emphatic winner, who provided the most fitting victor of the day two feature.

Connell said: “It’s very poignant and it’s very raw, the whole thing with Michael over the last three or four weeks has been absolutely horrible and my thoughts and prayers are with the family, his friends and his girlfriend.

“I think this is hopefully a fitting tribute to him.”

He went on: “He started as a 7lb claimer with us and I asked him to go pro, he ended up winning three Grade Ones as a claimer, leading rider on the first day (of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival) and leading conditional.

“I’ve asked some of the racing historians and I don’t think they can find anyone else who did all that.

“It’s an absolute tragedy that he’s left us, but he has a record he can be really proud of. He achieved more in his lifetime than a lot of riders who get to ride for a lot longer achieve.

“I’d like to dedicate this win to Michael and his girlfriend Charlotte, who is here.

“Our hearts go out to all his family and his friends and his girlfriend, racing is a great community and gets behind people when things like this happen.”

Flanagan said: “All the jockeys in Ireland, and in England and the rest of the world, have been under a cloud for the last couple of weeks.

“I’m only the man that steered him round today, Michael is the man who made him what he is. He’ll never be forgotten for that.”

He added: “It’s every race, race by race, I made a hash of the last race and I’m just lucky I could get on this lad. He comes alive when he comes here and it’s all credit to all the people back at Barry’s.”

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[loredelore]

For Michael and his beautiful family. 💚

[Grudeman]

Absolutely delighted to see this! He's a beautiful chaser, loves Cheltenham 👍

[kingoftheroad]

sean flanagan was a class act on marine today he kept handy all the way on the inside and took his time to creep in to the race he reminds me a lot of richard dunwoody and graham bradley class jockeys from the past who could ride races like this. well done sean.

[latchmere]

Brilliant Marine Nationale. I didn't back because I thought the horse was better over hurdles. Well done to all connections. RIP Michael O'Sullivan.😊

[lukemichael]

Barry O’Connell all class as usual ! Genius of a trainer and an absolute gent to boot. For a yard of his size his Cheltenham festival strike rate is unreal !

[mrdangiles]

So gutted about Jonbon but over the moon for Marine Nationale and connections. Such a fitting victory for the memory of Michael O' Sullivan

[RandyWatson]

Jonbon is a good chaser. Will never be anything more than that.

[beansidhe]

absolutely fantastic result the racing gods were definitely looking down today what a brilliant performance jumping the name of the game I'm afraid bonbon clouted one and in champion chase u cannot afford that

[michaelc]

Yes, such a fitting winner this year. A lovely tribute to Michael O’Sullivan. Marine Nationale was excellent.

Who would have guessed that in the first two days of the festival Constitution Hill, State Man, Ballyburn and Jonbon would all make catastrophic errors and fail to win? Amazing, but that’s jump racing. You never know.

[robertguildford]

Nico was anxious right from the start, hustled to the first fence never comfortable. Class got him into bridesmaid position. Well done to MN.

[Kevin-lfxx]

The starter has been shocking over the two days.

[calvinaitkin-sfup]

Nico was to blame, and so was the starter, , nearly every race has been a balls up start.

[Jaam]

Does Martin not frequent these pages anymore? Sure he’d have loved marine winning today #knowledgeispower

[JamesHodgson-sh]

Nico was fuming 😮after race surely these starts need to be better. Said the tape upset his horse😮 fair play to marine quoixloss was close

[paulkelly]

Sickening to see that the only jockey not to congratulate Sean Flanagan after the race was Nico De Boinville. I understand totally that he went out with massive expectations before the race but it's just not sportsman like.

[MrSimonson]

Hate to say it I feel that may have been nicos fault. Carnage at the start again didn’t help.

[befairish]

m Nationale seemed to be going better, but Quilixios was still in with a chance

[jjjjjj]

The Starter is an absolute disgrace. These are top class chasers not prissy little show ponies. Get rid of him. He is causing serious harm.

[PortfolioWarrior]

JonBon wasn't good enough. Don't blame the start.

[suemaher]

Feel sorry for Jonbon beaten by his jockey what a miserable man. Shouting at J.j Slevin and blaming starter. Ruby was right to say his fault not starter. Great result and the other horse winning too. Emotional day