Marine Nationale hasn't been seen since his victory in the 2023 Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Connell will unleash his stable star over fences at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival
Michael O'Sullivan riding Marine Nationale celebrate winning The Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle during day one of the Cheltenham Festival 2023. (Getty)
Barry Connell is busy preparing his stable star, Marine Nationale for his chasing debut at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Connell celebrated his first Cheltenham Festival victory on day one of the meeting 12 months ago. Marine Nationale, who had been laid out for Cheltenham following his victory in the Royal Bond, stormed up Cleeve Hill to beat Facile Vega in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Immediately after that famous victory, Connell announced that Marine Nationale would be switched to fences next season - if Constitution Hill remained over the smaller obstacles. Fans of Marine Nationale have been waiting patiently for eight months to see this star of the National Hunt scene make his reappearance. Thankfully, that moment looks set to arrive later this month at Leopardstown and Connell retains full confidence in his stable star.
"We beat the main players in the division last year and there's no reason why we can't beat them again," Connell told the press.
"The only reason they could turn it around is if they were a better jumper of a fence but we think our horse is as good, if not better, over a fence than he was over a hurdle. He beat them all in the Supreme so we're going into the season with confidence."
"I've never had a horse as good as him or with a temperament like his before. You can have the ability but sometimes the temperament will get in the way but he is a cool dude and never gets frustrated. He's five from five now and hopefully his career is only getting started. This time next year, hopefully we're looking forward to a Champion Chase."
"These Grade 1 horses are like hen's teeth, they're very hard to come across. You're lucky if you get one of those in a lifetime so we know how lucky we are."
Marine Nationale (centre) could meet Facile Vega (second right) and Inthepocket (right) again in the 2024 Arkle. (Getty)
A beginner's chase at Navan in mid-November had been selected as the ideal starting point for Marine Nationale at the start of the season. However, when the ground came up bottomless at Navan, Connell was forced to alter his route to the Arkle.
"He does go on soft ground but we felt running him on that ground first time out wasn't the right thing to do. The original plan was to go there and then on to the Grade 1 at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, then the Irish Arkle and Cheltenham so we said we'd wait until Christmas and go to the beginners' chase instead.
"It's not an issue as he went from a maiden hurdle to a Grade 1 last season. He has schooled extensively and his jumping is very good. We've been happy with his preparation so hopefully everything will go according to plan."
Having bumped into Facile Vega on his chasing debut, Inthepocket looks likely to oppose Marine Nationale on day two of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Willie Mullins has won the same Beginners Chase with Melon, Haut En Couleurs and Dysart Dynamo in recent seasons, so Ireland's Champion Trainer will likely be represented.
Marine Nationale is currently the 11/4 joint-favourite for the 2024 Arkle Challenge Trophy with Facile Vega, who impressed when beating Inthepocket at Navan. Inthepocket, Il Etait Temps and Blood Destiny also feature prominently in the Cheltenham Festival betting.
