THERE will be no shortage of honours at the year’s end for all connected with Marine Nationale, as the son of French Navy (Shamardal) ended his season by adding the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase to his success in the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

In a dozen starts now, Marine Nationale has won eight and been placed three times, won twice at the Cheltenham Festival, and his victory this week was his fourth in a Grade 1. The eight-year-old is a credit to Barry Connell and his team.