Get ready for an exciting comeback! Marine Nationale, the seasoned champion, is set to grace the tracks of Navan once more.
Despite the challenging weather, Barry Connell's eight-year-old marvel is all geared up for his seasonal debut in the Bar One Racing Fortria Chase. Last season, Marine Nationale dominated the two-mile chase division, securing victories in the prestigious Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham and the Champion Chase at Punchestown.
Connell shares, "We've been eagerly awaiting the rain, and it's been a challenging wait. We had to limit our summer runs due to the quick ground, so we had to put our plans on hold."
But here's where it gets controversial... Connell believes the current soft ground conditions, compared to the soft-heavy tracks in January, will favor Marine Nationale. "It's a different game now, with a more solid footing. We're confident he'll perform well, and we'll stick to last year's successful strategy."
And this is the part most people miss... Marine Nationale's options are limited due to the ground conditions. His only other potential race, the Hilly Way, often has heavy ground. So, after Navan, he's set for Leopardstown, Cheltenham, and Punchestown.
Joining the fray is Henry de Bromhead's Captain Guinness, the 2024 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, who finished third behind Marine Nationale last term. Also in the mix are Joseph O'Brien's Solness, Gordon Elliott's Touch Me Not, and Willie Mullins' Dinoblue, winner of the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase at Cheltenham.
The field is completed by Mullins' other entry, Hercule Du Seuil, who had a successful summer, winning the Grade Three An Riocht Chase at Killarney. Found A Fifty, trained by Elliott, rounds out the contenders.
In the Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle, a Grade Two race over two and a half miles, Elliott has two strong entries: The Yellow Clay, a runner-up in the Turners Novices' Hurdle, and Maxxum, the Boyne Hurdle winner. Lorna Fowler's Colonel Mustard and Jessica Harrington's Jetara join the group, along with Declan Queally's Mozzies Sister.
Don't miss the live action at the Navan Winter Festival this Sunday, starting at 1.10 pm, on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player.
Will Marine Nationale reclaim his throne? The stage is set for an epic battle. What do you think? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
