Marine Nationale in 'savage form' ahead of upcoming Leopardstown return

Sean Flanagan aboard Marine Nationale. 

Barry Connell reports Marine Nationale to be in “savage form” ahead of his return to Leopardstown to contest the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival on February 1.

The Champion Chase hero made his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown over Christmas but an awful early blunder left him facing an almost impossible task.

However, he almost pulled off mission impossible, going down by only a half-length to Solness after working his way back into the contest.

And Connell is bullish about what lies ahead as he looks ahead to both Leopardstown and Cheltenham.

“He was entitled to come out of the race a bit tired, he had a lot of ground to make up but he’s bounced out of it brilliant, we couldn’t have him in better shape,” Connell said. “Two weeks today now, we’re looking forward to it greatly.

“We did a little bit with him at the Curragh on Saturday and he’s as good as he ever was. Better. He’s in savage form.” 

Asked his thoughts on Saturday’s Clarence House Chase at Ascot when Jonbon got the better of Thistle Ask in a race where Irish raider and 2-5 favourite Il Etait Temps took a tired fall at the second last, Connell replied: “It was a Mickey Mouse race, over-hyped by ITV as it normally is so I can’t see any of those horses having a chance — I couldn’t see it before the race, I can’t see it after the race. 

"I think if we jump a clear round we win.” 

Connell was speaking after watching 9-4 favourite Eachtotheirown make all to win the Most Stylish Racegoers Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.

Eachtotheirown disappointed when fifth in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse before Christmas so Connell was understandably thrilled to see him bounce back so stylishly.

He said: “Plan A was to go and win the Royal Bond and it just didn’t happen for him on the day. A few of ours were running below-par then and they’ve all bounced back now. I think he’s top-class.” 

Asked if an ambitious tilt at the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham was something he might consider, Connell replied: “I might. If we had won the Royal Bond that is where we would have been going. 

"Now it looks a hot race this year but look at the size of him, he’s going to be a chaser next year. He’s all speed. We’re delighted to have back to what we thought he was.”