Marine Nationale cruised to a hugely poignant win in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Jonbon had been the odds-on favourite heading into the race but was hampered by a terrible jump and did well to finish second, a full 18 lengths behind a dominant winner.
Two years ago, Michael O’Sullivan rode Marine Nationale to victory in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2023, in what was the first of two victories on the opening day.
O’Sullivan tragically died after a fall last month, with the opening race of the Festival this year renamed in his honour, and his girlfriend was in the winners' enclosure to greet Marine Nationale and Sean Flanagan.
Remarkably, Marine Nationale’s triumph was followed 40 minutes later by Jazzy Matty, the second horse O’Sullivan won on two years ago, taking victory in the Grand Annual.
"Hugely emotional for a lot of reasons,” Flanagan said after winning the Champion Chase on Marine Nationale.
“His family find it very hard, jockeys in Ireland, England and around the world have been under a cloud in the last couple of weeks.
“I'm just the man on today, Michael made him what he is.”
Jonbon had a really poor jump with five to go, nearly unseating Nico de Boinville as he dropped off the back of the field.
It was instead Marine Nationale and Quilixios who took the last together, and when Quilixios went down it turned into a procession. Jonbon produced a remarkable run to still finish second, ahead of defending champion Captain Guinness in third.
More to follow...
