Naas racecourse will be headlined on Sunday with the return of the 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Marine Nationale – as he bids to get his chasing career back on track after flopping in the Irish Arkle last term.
Marine Nationale Horse Racing Career Back On Track At Naas
Having won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival many predicted great things for Marine Nationale over fences.
And these predictions looked well founded after the Barry Connell-trained 7 year-old bolted up on his chase debut at Leopardstown over Christmas last season.
Off the back of that, horse racing backers of Marine Nationale were dreaming of another Cheltenham win, but those aspirations were dashed at the Dublin Racing Festival when the horse flopped badly in the Irish Arkle. Despite being sent off as the hot 4/7 favourite, with the really testing ground blamed.
The horse was then put away for the season – missing the big Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown jumps festivals.
But the good news is that he’s back this Sunday (10th Nov), with the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase over 2m at Naas his entry.
This race was won in 2021 by last year’s Champion Chase winner Captain Guinness. While, last year the Willie Mullins-trained Dinoblue took the prize.
Marine Nationale set to take on four others on Sunday. Miss Gherkin, Lucid Dreams, Hercule Du Seuil and Quilixios for trainer Henry de Bromhead, who has won this race three times since 2014.
The best betting sites in the UK has installed Marine Nationale as the big odds-on market leader ahead of his return run at Naas.
Barry Connell Said About Marine Nationale’s Return
“This race has always been the plan and we picked it out around six months ago. It’s the obvious starting point for him as he gets all the allowances because he’s only won his beginners’. We’re very happy with him and his preparation has been very straightforward since he came back in from grass.
“Race conditions suit and the ground looks like it’s going to be good, which will also suit.”
Marine Nationale Horse Profile
- Runs: 7
- Wins: 6
- Grade One Wins: 2
- Career Earnings: £146,710
Marine Nationale Impressive On Chase Debut at Leopardstown But Flops In Irish Arkle Next Time
See below Marine Nationale winning the Paddy Power From The Horses Mouth Podcast Beginners Chase back on 27th December 2023.
Marine National Will Have Champion Chase At The Cheltenham Festival As A Target
The best horse racing betting sites in the UK have Marine Nationale at 9/1 in the 2025 Champion Chase market.
He’s currently behind the favourite Jonbon, who missed the race in 2024, last year’s Arkle winner Gaelic Warrior. Plus, El Fabiolo, who was pulled-up in the renewal 12 months ago.
Barry Connell told the Racing Post “We always knew his issue wasn’t serious and he was going to come back 100 per cent, all going well.
“The Champion Chase division looks very open and there’s no horse dominating it. It seems open for a horse to go and grab it and we hope it can be him.
“With a long season ahead, you don’t want to be fully wound up first time, but the conditions suit and it’s a lovely track to start him off at.”
