Cheltenham: Marine Nationale picks up emotional win in Queen Mother Champion Chase
Marine Nationale delivered a mistake-free performance, and benefited from major mistakes by two rivals, to win a poignant running of Friday’s Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase at two miles at Cheltenham Racecourse in England.
The win was Marine Nationale’s second victory at the prestigious Cheltenham festival. In 2023, Marine National won the Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle when ridden by Michael O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan died on Feb. 16 of injuries sustained in a race in Ireland earlier in February.
Sean Flanagan, who rode Marine Nationale on Wednesday, and in the 8-year-old gelding’s two prior starts, paid tribute to O’Sullivan in the winner’s circle.
“It’s hugely emotional for a lot of reasons,” Flanagan said.
“I’m only the man that steered him round today. Michael is the man who made him what he is. He will never be forgotten for that.
“I spoke to Michael plenty about him before I started riding him. It is very emotional.”
Marine Nationale, who paid $11.60 in American pools, won by 18 lengths over 2-5 Jonbon, who made a terrible mistake four fences from the finish, essentially losing all chance and nearly unseating jockey Nico de Boinville. Jonbon dropped back to last of eight after the incident and closed steadily through the final half-mile to finish a distant second.
When the field reached the last of 13 fences, 42-1 Quilixios fell when in contention, leaving Marine Nationale alone in the run to the finish.
Marine Nationale, an Irish-bred by the Shamardal stallion French Navy, won for the seventh time in his 11th start for trainer Barry Connell. The $515,500 Queen Mother Champion Chase was his second win in six starts over fences.
The festival continues with it's third day on Thursday, before finishing up with the final day and Group 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.
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