'His preparation has been very straightforward' - Supreme winner Marine Nationale poised to return at Naas on Sunday
Marine Nationale is set to be unleashed this weekend and Barry Connell is confident his unexposed star can make a serious impact on the two-mile chase division.
The seven-year-old was unstoppable in his first six starts, a run that included consecutive Grade 1 wins over hurdles at Fairyhouse and victory in the 2023 Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
He looked destined to rank even higher over fences after his scintillating chase debut at Leopardstown last Christmas, but he lost that unbeaten record when trailing in fifth of six as a red-hot favourite in the Irish Arkle, with the testing ground thought to be a contributing factor.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inIreland
Last updated
Copy- 'It should not have happened and won't happen again' - IHRB chief responds to damning €80,000 investigation
- 'He's A1, I couldn't be any happier with him' - Brassil beaming about Fastorslow despite being a King George absentee
- 'He gives me an unbelievable feel' - Jack Kennedy keen on American Mike for upcoming Troytown Chase
- Jeriko Du Reponet, Marine Nationale and more: when and where some exciting jumps stars could return this week
- Long-awaited report into financial matter of 'grave concern' reveals IHRB breached Charities Act with €350,000 transfer
- 'It should not have happened and won't happen again' - IHRB chief responds to damning €80,000 investigation
- 'He's A1, I couldn't be any happier with him' - Brassil beaming about Fastorslow despite being a King George absentee
- 'He gives me an unbelievable feel' - Jack Kennedy keen on American Mike for upcoming Troytown Chase
- Jeriko Du Reponet, Marine Nationale and more: when and where some exciting jumps stars could return this week
- Long-awaited report into financial matter of 'grave concern' reveals IHRB breached Charities Act with €350,000 transfer