Barry Connell reports his Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Marine Nationale to be “better than ever” ahead of his planned reappearance in the Fortria Chase at Navan next month.

Unbeaten in bumpers and over hurdles, a run which was rounded off with brilliant victory in the 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, the eight-year-old suffered an interrupted first season over fences and was also beaten on his first three outings of last term.

However, a return to Prestbury Park saw him roar back to his brilliant best as he claimed the two-mile chasing crown with a stunning 18-length success and he was similarly impressive when following up in the Punchestown Champion Chase at the end of April.

With his reappearance now only a few weeks away, Connell is looking forward to getting his stable star’s campaign up and running.

“He’s on track to run in the Fortria in Navan, depending on the weather,” he said.

Away day

“He’s had an away day at a racecourse and jumped a few fences and we’re very happy with where he is.

“He came back from the summer in great nick. I think due to the fact that he didn’t have hard races in Cheltenham and Punchestown, he went out in a very good frame of mind and he’s come in very well both physically and mentally – it’s all systems go.”

With Marine Nationale having only run 12 times in his life, Connell is confident he has not yet reached his peak.

He added: “He’s still very lightly-raced. We got held up the season before last with the suspensory injury, but that’s in the past now and he seems to be better than ever.

“The programme is there after the Fortria – Leopardstown at Christmas, the Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham and Punchestown.”